url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.welch.senate.gov/republicans-block-passage-of-welch-and-gillibrands-bill-to-end-trumps-trade-war-with-canada/,Republicans Block Passage of Welch and Gillibrand’s Bill to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada,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

Welch: “This is just bone-crushing, business-crushing, job-crushing. And there’s no rationale for it.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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’s reckless tariffs on Canada and reclaim Congress’ constitutional role in setting our trade policy. Senator Welch’s 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.

The 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’s import ban on various Canadian products that went into effect today. Senator Welch’s request to pass the bill with unanimous consent was blocked by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chair of the Finance Committee.

“The 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,” said Senator Welch, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. “Senator 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.”

Senator Welch concluded: “It’s 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.”

Watch the Senator’s full remarks below:

Read excerpts from his remarks on the Senate Floor:

“The 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—when 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 — 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.”

•••

“This is just bone-crushing, business-crushing, job-crushing. And there’s no rationale for it. And then when you add onto that the rhetoric: the 51st state, the governor of Canada…Our tourism industry—very close with Canada—is down with Canadian visitors by about 47%.”

•••

“Our bill, Senator Gillibrand’s 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’s called the Banning Antiquated Duties and Delivering Equitable American Levies, or the BAD DEAL Act. It would also repeal President Trump’s import ban on various Canadian products.

“In 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’s 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?”

•••

In addition to the BAD DEAL Act, Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress’ 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.

###",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’s Elections, Recognize Certified Outcome and Support Brazil’s 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. — 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’s democratic institutions ahead of its October 4, 2026, presidential election.

In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators outline how the Trump Administration’s actions undermine confidence in Brazil’s electoral process ahead of its upcoming election and inflict further damage on the United States’ relationship with a strategic ally and trading partner. The Senators also highlight how the Administration’s actions reflect a broader and deeply troubling pattern of interference in recent electoral processes across Latin America, as seen during Argentina’s midterm elections and the presidential elections in Honduras and Colombia.

The Senators detail how, over the course of President Trump’s second term, U.S. officials have engaged in a campaign of interference and destabilization in Brazil. They write: “This 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’s 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’s 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’s democratic institutions and advancing the interests of the Brazilian far-right.”

The Senators continue: “More 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’s direction at the same moment that he publicly criticized Brazilian court actions against former President Bolsonaro and U.S. social media companies. The administration’s most recent actions point toward an effort to interfere with, and potentially undermine, Brazil’s general election in October. Senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro’s recent Oval Office meeting with President Trump, undertaken while attempting to mitigate a domestic political scandal, underscored the administration’s willingness to insert itself in the election.”

The Senators underscore how the Trump Administration’s actions this election cycle contrast with the United States’ approach during Brazil’s previous presidential election could not be clearer: “Immediately following the announcement of the election results in 2022, the United States moved swiftly—in coordination with allies and partners—to recognize President Lula’s victory, helping to deny legitimacy to efforts to contest or reverse the outcome. Following the January 8, 2023, attacks on Brazil’s democratic institutions, the United States stood firmly with Brazil’s newly elected government and played a key role in rallying support across the region for Brazil’s efforts to defend its hard-won 1988 constitution and the democratic institutions it established.”

Given the administration’s actions, the Senators request answers to the following questions:

How 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?

Will the administration commit to recognizing the certified outcome of Brazil’s 2026 democratic elections and to supporting normal diplomatic relations with whichever candidate is freely and fairly chosen by the Brazilian people?

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to Secretary Rubio.

###

###",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 Underscores Legitimacy of Jack Smith’s Investigation into President Trump: “What continues to be beyond dispute is that January 6th did happen.”,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. — 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’s (DOJ) investigation into President Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection with former DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith.

In his remarks, Senator Welch emphasized how President Trump’s repeated falsehoods about the results of the 2020 presidential elections and his conduct leading up to the January 6th riots warranted Smith’s investigations into President Trump.

“Many of the questions or statements directed toward this prosecutor—you could put any other prosecutor there—but 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’t make a distinction between our legitimate political differences—we can fight it out—and the reality that January 6th happened. That happened,” said Senator Welch. “The idea that we are going to put a blindfold on as though January 6th didn’t happen, as though there weren’t documents down in Mar-a-Lago, means that we’re 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.”

Watch the Senator’s full remarks below:

Read key excerpts from Senator Welch’s exchange with Mr. Smith:

Sen. Welch: From a justice standpoint, January 6th happened. So, Mr. Smith, you didn’t have any decision on whether or not to bring the prosecution, except after you were appointed, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Welch: And you had to do what any prosecutor has to do, and that’s 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?

Mr. Smith: That’s correct, we sought to collect facts, look at the law, and make a decision.

Sen. Welch: Alright, and the other point that I think is really disturbing my colleagues—and with some understandable basis, as Ranking Member Durbin said—is 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—and he was a suspect, and you had his own words talking about pressuring to delay the outcome of this election—you’re not going after me individually. My number shows up in his call log, so then that’s how you get my number. Is that correct?

Mr. 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.

•••

Sen. Welch: We all know January 6th happened—we 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?

Mr. Smith: Yes, that’s why and how we proceeded.

###",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. — 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.

“According 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’s poll monitoring efforts threatens to undermine Americans’ faith in the electoral process ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections,” wrote Senator Welch.

“In 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’s Division of Elections and the county’s election websites. He served 20 days in jail and received two years of probation. According to Mr. Levin’s arrest warrant, he demonstrated how he hacked the website in YouTube videos and a local television interview,” the Senator continued. “The Department has not confirmed whether Mr. Levin is working for the Civil Rights Division. But publicly available images and videos from the Department’s 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’s August primary.”

“On 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’s presence at election monitoring activities in Minnesota, raises serious questions about who the Division will send to conduct election monitoring during the midterm elections,” the Senator concluded.

Senator Welch requested answers to the following questions by October 8, 2026, to better understand the Division’s election-related work:

Please identify the factors that the Civil Rights Division considers when determining whether election monitors will be sent to a particular polling location.

Does 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?

Did 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?

Does the Civil Rights Division intend to have Mr. Levin participate in election monitoring during the 2026 midterm election in November?

Are there other Civil Rights Division employees who have been convicted of, or charged with, election interference offenses?

Were DOJ officials aware of Mr. Levin’s convictions for hacking election websites before he was hired?

Please describe Mr. Levin’s involvement in the Division’s election-related work.

Read and download the full text of Senator Welch’s letter to AAG Dhillon.

Senator Welch has led efforts pushing back on AAG Dhillon’s leadership of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the Trump Administration’s 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’s Homeland Security Grant Program counterterrorism funding if they do not comply with new election-related conditions, including participation in the agency’s flawed SAVE system and disclosing sensitive voter information.

Earlier 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’s actions—in light of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections—risk disenfranchising eligible voters and are contrary to the Civil Rights Division’s statutory mandate to ensure all Americans can freely vote.

###",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. – 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’s passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, which he cosponsored:

“The 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—including those in Vermont—by allowing revenue sharing, and it helps get big money out of college sports. It’s a win-win for student athletes and fans alike.”

The 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’ rights to earn compensation when their Name, Image or Likeness (NIL) is used, replacing a patchwork of state laws, protect women’s 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.

###",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. – 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.

“Big companies are producing more toxic chemicals, dyes, and non-recycled plastic than ever, prioritizing profits over Americans’ 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,” said Senator Welch. “In Vermont, we’ve taken strong action to restrict the sale of products containing PFAS and harmful chemicals, because Vermonters shouldn’t have to shoulder companies’ environmental burdens. The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act follows Vermont’s lead and takes a major step forward to protect public health and the environment.”

“The plastics crisis is not only an environmental disaster but also a public health emergency that demands urgent action,” said Senator Merkley, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee overseeing environmental justice and chemical safety. “Research 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.”

“For years, I have fought to protect Americans from toxic chemicals that can linger in our bodies and cause lasting damage,” said Senator Booker. “It’s 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.”

“We 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’s time we stop giving polluters a free ride and start protecting public health,” said Senator Van Hollen.

Forever 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.

The 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.

The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act would follow Vermont’s 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.

Substances 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.

The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act is endorsed by Ocean Conservancy.

“Plastic 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,” said Dr. Anja Brandon, Director, Plastics Policy, Ocean Conservancy.

Learn more about the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",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 Effort Urging Trump Admin to Fight for Release of Political Prisoners 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.– Azerbaijan partnership

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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’s administration and emphasize that the success of the U.S.– Azerbaijan bilateral relationship is dependent on Azerbaijan making reciprocal good faith commitments, including the release of political prisoners.

The Senators underscore that for the U.S.– Azerbaijan partnership to thrive, it must be grounded in a commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, and protect fundamental rights: “There 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’s 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’s success in obtaining the release of political prisoners in Belarus and urge the Administration to pursue a similar approach with Azerbaijan.”

The 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.

The Senators highlight how the Republic of Azerbaijan’s 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: “All 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.”

“The Administration’s 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,” the Senators conclude. “The 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.”

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to Secretary of State Rubio.

###",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’s 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’s housing crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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.

“The nationwide housing crisis has been absolutely brutal on Vermont’s 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’t be penalized for helping us address this crisis—yet that’s what’s happening under our current tax code,” said Senator Welch. “I’m leading this legislation to right this wrong and ensure small and rural housing developers aren’t forced to bear unreasonable financial burdens for building desperately needed affordable housing.”

America’s 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—including the nearly 4,000 Vermonters facing homelessness—to purchase a home. Vermont is projected to need an additional 24,000–36,000 housing units by 2030 to replace outdated housing stock and meet demand.

Rising inflation and labor costs make it increasingly difficult for developers to build affordable housing. This has been especially devastating for the state’s rural communities, where multimillion-dollar companies are buying up homes meant for families.

The 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.

“In 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’ll be paying it off for the next 30 years. When developers are taxed on grants they’re required to spend on construction, the math stops working and the housing doesn’t get built. Senator Welch’s legislation makes sure the next builder doesn’t have to learn that lesson the hard way,” said Jonah Richard, Principal, Village Ventures.

Learn more about the Supporting Small Affordable Housing Developers Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

Senator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to address Vermont’s 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.

The Senator’s 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’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.

###",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’ letter calls for global cooperation on AI development to preserve public safety and human control

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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.

The Senators caution that, as extraordinary as the promise of some of AI’s advanced capabilities are, safety incidents make clear that both national and international infrastructure is threatened by unregulated testing and release of AI models: “It 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… 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.”

The 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: “America 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.”

“AI 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,” the Senators conclude.

Joining 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 Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to President Trump.

###",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: “It’s time for us to say, end this war. End this war now.”",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,"“This 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.

“We in this Senate have voted numerous times to end this war. We can’t 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—not two legislative bodies, not two votes of the American people, two men—Donald 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.

“So, our president made a decision—and it was a unilateral decision by him—a 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.

“The president bragged about the military might—and we do have a strong military — but his strategic thinking was totally flawed and foolish. He thought bombing could resolve something that it couldn’t. 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.

“The 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’s policy was a complete failure. It is not working. The president continues to promote a non-policy, asserting we’re putting the squeeze on Iran.

“Mr. President, you’re putting the squeeze on farmers in Iowa. You’re putting the squeeze on the tourism industry in Vermont. You’re putting the squeeze on manufacturers in Wisconsin. You’re 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’s $1,500 extra a day.

“And for what? For what? For the ego of a man who capitulated to the pressures of Benjamin Netanyahu? That’s what he did. And who does not have the leadership ability, or the character, to assess what’s happened in these past six months? And acknowledge it’s 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’s time for us to say: end this war. End this war now.

“Arrogance is not a substitute for good judgment. Arrogance is not an expression of toughness and resolve. It’s time to end this war.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-casar-introduce-legislation-to-create-new-federal-agency-to-ban-artificial-superintelligence-pause-advanced-ai-development/,"NEWS: Sanders, Casar Introduce Legislation to Create New Federal Agency to Ban Artificial Superintelligence, Pause Advanced AI Development",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) today introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act — legislation to stop artificial intelligence (AI) oligarchs from building machines humans cannot control and to pause advanced AI development until we have put in place rigorous federal testing and oversight to ensure AI does not harm humanity.

“When you are racing towards a cliff, you don’t just ease up on the gas pedal. You hit the brakes. When the future of humanity is at stake, we cannot let a handful of Big Tech CEOs write their own rules,” Sanders said. “Scientists have been clear: AI is an existential threat to humanity. It must be treated as such. This legislation will permanently ban the development of artificial superintelligence and would put in place an immediate pause on advanced AI development until we have clear safety rules in place — developed by the most knowledgeable scientists in our country. Congress must act now before it is too late.”

“Experts are warning that AI superintelligence, wielded by the wrong humans or by rogue AI, could kill countless numbers of people. But Donald Trump says he wants to encourage it. Something has to change,” Casar said. “Our bill bans the development of artificial superintelligence and pushes for international agreements so that no one, anywhere, builds AI too powerful for humans to control. Furthermore, our bill would immediately halt other dangerous AI capabilities, such as the capacity to develop biochemical weapons, or the capacity for AI to develop new AI instead of humans.”

Over the past few months, we have learned that AI models can circumvent restrictions to hack into computers. We have learned they can create never-before-seen viruses. And we have learned they can automate research to build smarter AI. Even as the AI companies claim they recognize these dangers and want to slow down, they are racing ahead — investing hundreds of billions of dollars into a technology that nobody can fully predict or control. That is unacceptable. The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act will protect humanity by:

Banning Artificial Superintelligence. No person or entity may develop or deploy Artificial Superintelligence — an AI that exceeds human cognitive performance and capabilities across most domains, or has sufficient capabilities to destroy or disempower humanity, including by overthrowing the federal government.

Pausing Advanced AI development until a new, federal AI regulatory body is up and running and has established clear rules and model review processes to ensure safe and secure development and deployment of AI.

Establishing a new cabinet-level federal Department of Artificial Intelligence to safeguard the public from the dangers of artificial intelligence, including by enforcing a prohibition on artificial superintelligence. This department will be advised by the most knowledgeable scientists in our country to:

Monitor frontier AI systems at all stages of the lifecycle for dangerous capabilities.

Supervise the removal of dangerous capabilities like subverting shutdown commands or conducting unauthorized cyberattacks.

Supervise the destruction of artificial superintelligence.

Setting penalties for any person or entity that attempts to violate or circumvent the pauses and prohibitions laid out in this bill. Entities shall be subject to the corporate death penalty, and persons shall be subject to not more than 20 years in prison, which is similar to existing penalties related to unlawfully developing nuclear weapons.

Working to ban superintelligence around the world by setting the international policy of the United States to pursue international agreements, allied coordination, and policies such as export controls to prevent the development of artificial superintelligence anywhere in the world.

Read the bill text here.

Read a one-page summary here.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
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

On Cuba

September 23, 2026

Mr. 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.

There 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.

The 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:

“Thousands 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.

“The 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.

U.S. sanctions have also hobbled shipments by air, and forced the World Health Organization to scrap planned deliveries of cancer drugs.”

Secretary of State Rubio claims that “if Cuba is a humanitarian disaster, it is because their regime is a disaster, because the economic model they follow doesn’t work.” 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.

Mr. President, this is unconscionable, it’s immoral, and it’s 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.

During the past year, Cuba’s 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—or 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 “will fall.”

Earlier 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’s 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.

But 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 Alcántara, although he was forced into exile in the U.S. Others, including Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo Pérez, must be released.

The 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.

# # #",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’s prior-year global revenue

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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.

The 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’s prior-year global revenue for violations. These new authorities add to the proposed Federal Digital Commission’s 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.

“Americans in Vermont and across the country are freaked out by the warnings of AI researchers, and I’m right there with them. It’s clear we can’t leave it to AI companies to self-regulate—just like we don’t 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,” said Senator Welch. “Our commonsense bill would provide the comprehensive oversight of Big Tech and AI that is sorely needed.”

“The challenge posed by a new technology and a new industry able to profoundly transform our economy and society is one we have faced before,” said Senator Bennet. “In 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.”

The proposed AI Regulator Act would:

Give 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.

Put major tech companies under closer oversight by allowing the Commission to designate systemically important digital platforms or developers for additional reporting and regulation.

Back 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’s prior-year global revenue in a year for violations.

Set safeguards for frontier AI by requiring developers to meet risk-mitigation, catastrophic risk incident-reporting, and transparency requirements.

Protect kids and consumers online by establishing age-verification and age-appropriate design standards, consumer protections, and transparency requirements for platforms’ terms of service and content-moderation policies.

Address national and economic security risks by including provisions concerning Americans’ data held by foreign AI companies, U.S. subsidiaries for certain foreign firms, and transparency about where online content originates.

The 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.

Learn more about the proposed AI Regulator Act and read a Section-by-Section summary of the legislation.

###",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: “We really have to stand up for rural America.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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’s farmers, community hospitals and health care industry, and streamline natural disaster recovery efforts.

“There 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,” said Senator Welch.

Following the conversation between Senator Welch and Ms. Tanden, a panel of rural experts spoke about the importance of supporting rural communities—digging into where the gaps are—and where the possibilities lie—for 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.

“One of the challenges with bureaucracy is that investment isn’t always equitable…71% of the communities in Vermont are 2,500 or fewer—that’s what rural looks like, right? But those communities only get 30% of the investment from those Rural Development programs. So, there’s a disconnect,” said Mr. Doyle. “The idea that you’re going to be able to deliver those programs and those services in an equitable way to truly rural communities; it’s 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—the people who can deliver those programs and be those partners in those small towns to make stuff happen.”

Watch the full event below:

Read key excerpts from Senator Welch’s remarks below:

“If I ask my rural colleagues: ‘what’s going on with community hospitals in your area—Iowa, or Nebraska?’ their answer is the same as the answer I would give them if they asked me. And that is: it’s not great; they’re 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’s not a Republican or Democratic deal. It’s about the needs of people who live there.”

•••

“There 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.”

•••

“There’s 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’s also an agriculture policy that has looked the other way at some of the input cost pressures that our farmers are facing—consolidation and meatpacking as an example—puts enormous pressure on the farm community.”

•••

“We have to have an agriculture policy that, in many ways, puts the farmer first. You can’t 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…they really value what the farmers do. They keep the land open; they care about the land…One of the things that amazes me: you see farmers, they work hard, and they like it. It’s 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’s wrong with that? That’s what we’re trying to preserve.”

•••

“[Rural Americans are] incredibly attentive to their neighbors when they need their help—even as they mind their own business when their neighbor has a different point of view than them. So, there’s an ethic that I actually find very appealing, where community is first and foremost what the people there care about…it’s 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.”

•••

Learn more about Senator Welch’s work fighting for Vermont’s rural communities by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",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, Schiff, Barragán Unveil Bicameral Legislation to 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. – 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 Barragán (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).

“Students 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,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to join Senator Schiff and Rep. Barragán 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.”

“College students should never have to worry about where their next meal will come from or have to drop out because they can’t afford food and tuition. This bill is a commonsense approach to addressing student hunger and strengthening higher education,” said Senator Schiff.

“Students should never have to choose between putting food on the table and earning a college degree,” said Rep. Barragán. “For 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’s 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.”

The 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.

The 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.

“Earning 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,” said Ivy Enoch, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Hunger Free Vermont. “We 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.”

“As 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,” said Rafael Jaime, President of UAW 4811.

“Millions 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,” said Mark Huelsman, Director of Policy & Advocacy, The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs.

“As 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,” said Zoe Duffield, Director of Advocacy at SwipeOut Hunger.

“Roughly 1 in 4 college students experience food insecurity, and the OBBBA’s 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,” said Valerie Crespin-Trujillo, Senior Director of College Completion & Basic Needs, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS). “The Food for Thought Act pilots new approaches to addressing food insecurity among low-income students, which can in turn increase student success.”

Learn more about the Food for Thought Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",1,2026-09-24T10:30:22Z,2026-09-24T10:31:42Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/prepared-remarks-sanders-ahead-of-un-general-assembly-oligarchy-is-ascending-and-democracy-is-in-retreat-working-together-that-must-change/,"NEWS: Sanders Ahead of UN General Assembly: “Oligarchy is ascending and democracy is in retreat… Working together, that must change.”",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"NEW YORK, Sept. 21 — On the eve of the United Nations General Assembly, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) delivered a major foreign policy address today at the historic Riverside Church in New York City — where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his Beyond Vietnam speech and where Nelson Mandela spoke after his release. The senator’s full remarks, as delivered, are below.

It is a true honor and a privilege for me to be speaking here at this extraordinary and historic Riverside Church.

This, as many of you know, is the church that Nelson Mandela came to visit as a free man, just five months after he was released from prison, having served 27 years. He came here to thank the people of the United States for standing up for justice against the evils of apartheid in South Africa.

The courage and historic life of Mr. Mandela inspired millions and millions of people all over the world. His life and legacy will never be forgotten.

As I think all of you also know, in 1967, at this very same pulpit that I am honored to be speaking from tonight, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made clear his vigorous opposition to the War in Vietnam — a war that was based on lies. A war of horrific destruction for the people of Asia, and for 59,000 young Americans who went abroad and never came home.

In his remarks, with extraordinary courage, Dr. King exposed what he very eloquently called “the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism.”

He warned us that “a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”

What Dr. King said was true nearly 60 years ago, and it is even truer today, as our country, the United States of America, is now spending over $1 trillion a year on the military while some 800,000 Americans are homeless, 85 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured, and millions of people cannot afford the basic necessities of life.

This business of spending more and more on the military and turning backs on working families and the poor is not just happening, tragically, here in the United States — it’s happening all over the world, where we are seeing increased military budgets while the needs of people living in desperation are ignored.

So not just in the United States, but all over the world, we are moving in the wrong direction and our job is to turn that around.

Instead of producing more bombs and weapons and seeing the military-industrial complex enjoy huge profits, governments throughout the world need to come together to feed the children, take care of the vulnerable and protect our planet from the ravages of climate change.

That is why we must continue and accelerate our efforts to end President Trump’s disastrous war in Iran which is now spreading throughout the region.

That is why we must continue to speak out against the extremist government in Israel and the genocide they have committed in Gaza, and why we in the United States must end all military aid to the Netanyahu government.

That is why we must rally and work with grassroots activists in Russia to put an end to Putin’s disastrous war in Ukraine — which has led to the deaths of some 500,000 Russian soldiers, as well as mass destruction and loss of life in Ukraine.

And that is why we must denounce the United Arab Emirates’ continued financial and military support of the RSF as it wages a campaign of genocide and destruction in Sudan’s civil war.

Last week, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, correctly named three existential threats that the world currently faces. He talked about runaway artificial intelligence, he talked about the climate crisis, and he talked about deepening inequality.

In my view, he is absolutely right.

But before we get into those issues, let me once again state the obvious, and that is that in a world of growing tension, growing militarism, more and more hatred, more and more destruction, the United Nations, as an institution, is more important today than it has ever been.

As we all know, the U.N. was born out of the horrors of World War II — a war in which 60 million people died, a war which caused unimaginable destruction in Europe and Asia and elsewhere, and a war that led to the unleashing of the first nuclear weapons.

To their credit, the leaders of the world at that time looked around them and saw the concentration camps, saw the destruction, saw the mass death, and they understood that international conflicts and differences of opinion must be fought out over a negotiating table and not a battlefield.

In the year 2026, one might have hoped that after thousands and thousands of years of war, humanity could have come up with a better way to resolve conflicts than killing each other and never-ending wars.

At a time when we are seeing efforts in the United States and in other countries around the world to make the claim that ‘might is right,’ our job is to strengthen the United Nations and make sure that we bring disagreements to the negotiating table and stop the killing throughout the world.

Now let me say a few words to the points that the Secretary-General so effectively articulated, and that is that we are living in an unprecedented and dangerous moment in world history and the challenges we face are enormous and existential.

What do I mean by that?

First, and this is an issue we do not talk about enough for obvious reasons, we are moving rapidly toward an extremely dangerous global oligarchy.

Never before in human history have so few people held so much wealth and so much power.

Never before in human history have we had such enormous concentrations of ownership.

Never before have we seen such an unprecedented level of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility on the part of the ruling class.

In many ways, we are seeing today a reversion back to the ideology of 19th Century monarchs — kings and queens and czars — who believed, sincerely believed, that God gave them the right to rule.

The oligarchs of today, worth hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars, having investments all over the world, fervently believe that they are the masters of the universe, and that they — through their enormous wealth and power — have been ordained to rule the world.

Today we say to those oligarchs: This country, this world, belongs to all of us, not just you.

Today’s billionaire class not only wants more tax breaks for themselves and the companies they own. Not only do they want to stash trillions and trillions of their dollars in offshore tax havens. These oligarchs reject any form of accountability or checks on their power. They want more and more wealth and more and more power — no matter what kind of harm they inflict on working people in our country and throughout the world.

And one of the other issues we don’t talk about very much is that in nation after nation, throughout this world, we are seeing unprecedented levels of income and wealth inequality.

In our own country, here in the United States, the top 1% now owns more wealth than the bottom 94%.

And one man, Elon Musk, the wealthiest man alive, now owns more wealth than the bottom 53% of American households. One man.

In America today, CEOs of large, profitable corporations are earning 350 times more than the average worker.

Last year alone, after receiving the largest tax break in history, fewer than a thousand billionaires in our country became $1.5 trillion richer.

But it is not just what is happening right now — this is not a new development. Over the last 50 years, according to the Rand Corporation, $79 trillion in U.S. wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90% to the top 1%.

Despite an explosion in technology and a huge increase in worker productivity, the average American worker is making nearly $25 a week less than he or she did over 53 years ago after adjusting for inflation.

While the billionaire class and the 1% have never had it so good, over 60% of Americans in the richest country in the history of the world are living paycheck to paycheck, nearly 800,000 are homeless and tens of millions struggle to pay for rent or the mortgage or to keep a roof over their heads

Let us be very clear. The rapid movement to oligarchy and the exponential rise in income and wealth inequality is not just an American phenomenon. It is taking place all over the world, and in my view, is the most important economic reality of our times.

In country after country, what we are seeing is working people sick and tired of seeing the very rich get richer while they struggle to put food on the table and pay for basic necessities.

They worry not only for themselves, here in America and around the world, they worry that their kids will likely have, if we don’t change it, a lower standard of living than they do.

This climate — of the rich getting richer, of working people in our country struggling, of people sleeping out on the streets, of people worrying about the future for their kids — is the reality that demagogues, whether in the United States or any place else, are feeding on.

Instead of addressing the root causes of the economic crises that working people face, the demagogues are turning to the old, time-tested, hateful ideologies of racism, anti-immigrant bigotry and xenophobia. They are pitting working people against each other based on the color of their skin, where they were born or their religion.

In doing that, they know exactly what their goal is. And that is to deflect attention away from the greed and power of the oligarchs who are causing the massive economic pain that we are seeing.

That is their goal. Nothing new. Trump didn’t invent it. Demagogues in Europe didn’t invent it. It’s gone on for a very long time.

When people are hurting, you say, ‘Hey, it’s Black people, it’s gay people, it is immigrants.’ And that’s what demagogues are doing. And our job is to take that ideology on.

Some of us are working real hard here in the United States to do that.

And to bring our people together and take on those who are trying to divide us up.

Unbelievably, today, according to Oxfam and other researchers, we are living in a world where the top 1% owns more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity, and the gap between the very, very rich, globally, is getting wider and wider.

Just a few examples:

We are seeing it in the United Kingdom, where over 30% of children are living in poverty while 50 billionaires in that country now own more wealth than the bottom 50% of their population.

Listen to this. The latest figures that we have seen indicate that the wealthiest 500 people — half the number of people in this church tonight, control more wealth than the bottom 99.8% of their people.

We’re seeing it in Africa, where nearly 850 million people have struggled with food insecurity — 58% of the population — while just four men own more wealth than the bottom 50% of people on that continent.

We are seeing that all over the world.

In fact, while nearly half of the world’s population is living in poverty, 3,400 billionaires throughout the globe became $4 trillion richer last year alone.

Children die of preventable diseases. People suffer every day. People give up hope. And 3,400 of the richest people on Earth became $4 trillion richer last year alone.

Let me be clear. In an increasingly globalized economy, the allegiances of these oligarchs are not to their own nations. It is to their own power. It is to their own bank accounts. It is to their huge yachts, their mansions, their collections of fancy cars, their private islands and their fleet of jets.

The result: oligarchy is ascending, working families are struggling to stay alive and democracy is in retreat. The great challenge that we face in our country and all over the world is that that trend must be reversed.

And my friends, given all the advances — extraordinary advances — that we have seen in technology and increases we have seen in worker productivity, it is not today a utopian idea to say that every man, woman and child on this planet can have a decent standard of living.

That is not just a dream. That is a reality that can happen if we put our shoulders to the wheel and demand that that happens.

When we talk about oligarchy, it is not just massive income and wealth inequality. It is about the maldistribution of economic and political power.

Unbelievably, right here in the United States, just four Wall Street firms are the major shareholders in over 95% of S&P 500 companies.

And when we talk about this massive concentration of ownership, please do not forget the media.

Who owns the media? Over half of the world’s largest media companies are now owned by billionaires.

Nine out of the top ten social media companies in the world are owned by billionaires.

And in our country, six large media conglomerates control 90% of what the American people see, hear and read.

Mr. Musk owns Twitter. Mr. Bezos owns the Washington Post and Twitch. Mr. Zuckerberg owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads.

But it is not just income and wealth inequality and concentration of ownership that we are seeing today.

Literally today, billionaires are determined to own our political system as well.

In the United States, as a result of the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, billionaires and corporations are legally able to spend as much as they want on political campaigns through their super PACs. And that, my friends, is exactly what they are doing right at this moment.

In the last presidential election, Mr. Musk spent at least $290 million to elect Trump as president, and now he’s spending some $200 million more to help Republicans keep control over the Congress. And it is not just Republican billionaires. Democratic billionaires are also playing an important role.

But this is not just an American phenomenon.

In Germany, Musk has thrown his support behind the AfD, a party Germany’s own domestic intelligence agency has labeled a right-wing extremist party.

In Britain, two crypto billionaires, one of them who was convicted in the United States for money laundering before being pardoned by Donald Trump, gave Nigel Farage’s Reform Party 36 million pounds each.

Across Europe, as the oligarchs fund right-wing political forces while working families struggle, the social democratic parties that once built the strongest middle classes in the history of the world are losing ground as workers turn to right-wing parties.

And that is true, of course, not only in Europe — it is true right here in the United States as well.

A profound lesson must be learned from all of that. And that is that the same old establishment politics and establishment policies are no longer good enough.

People are sick and tired of the status quo. People want change.

That change, in my view, will either come from right-wing demagogues or from political parties that embrace a grassroots movement that fights for a working class agenda.

And I am really happy to tell you that right here in this city we have seen what a strong grassroots movement can do in electing a progressive mayor.

We are seeing that phenomenon from coast to coast, as candidates — often people in their twenties or thirties, people who have never run for office, people who are often women or people of color — take on the establishment candidates, they are outspent, and they are winning elections.

But it’s not just oligarchy that we’ve got to worry about. As the U.N. Secretary-General reminded us, there’s another issue that we must confront.

In my view, artificial intelligence, AI, and robotics are the most transformational technologies in the history of humanity. They have the potential to eliminate tens of millions of jobs. AI threatens the privacy of virtually every person in the world through mass surveillance — every phone call you make, every website you visit, every email that you send, somebody will know it.

It’s not only economic disruption, not only an invasion of our privacy, we’re also seeing a real challenge to whether or not democracy can survive when you have things like deepfakes that are so sophisticated on the internet that none of us will be able to tell truth from fiction.

Let’s be clear: What we are seeing from AI right now — and this is maybe the most important point on that subject I will make — what we are seeing from AI right now is the least capable form that this technology will ever be.

Tomorrow and the next day and the next year, AI will be much, much more powerful.

It is advancing exponentially, every single day. In under four years, we have gone from AI that could barely write a coherent tweet to AI systems that have already escaped the control of the companies that built them.

Take a deep breath and ask yourself, where will AI be in two years, in four years, in ten years?

Will human beings be able to control this exploding technology?

So let me make a radical suggestion: if the lives of every man, woman and child are going to be fundamentally changed by this technology, then the people of our country and the people of this world must make the decisions regarding AI, not just a handful of Big Tech oligarchs.

That is why I hope very much that when President Trump and President Xi meet on Thursday, I hope that they will sit down and begin the process of negotiating a comprehensive treaty to establish a pause on advanced AI and a ban on AI superintelligence.

Lastly, there is another issue that I do not have to spend much time on because I suspect every person in this room knows about it, and that is the existential threat of climate change.

Last month was the hottest August ever recorded on this planet. Global ocean temperatures hit their highest level ever measured. A glacier collapsed in Nepal less than a month ago that triggered floods that have killed nearly 1,500 people. Thousands are still missing.

As the world becomes warmer, as we see more heat waves, drought, floods, forest fires, and extreme weather disturbances, we once again confront the incredible greed of the corporate world.

Unbelievably — and it really is unbelievable that these folks are literally willing to sacrifice the well-being of their own children, their grandchildren, future generations — for short-term profits for the fossil fuel industry.

That is something I just don’t understand. I just don’t understand how people can be so short-sighted, so excited that they’re making huge profits, that they’re willing to sacrifice their own kids and grandchildren.

In my view, our job must be not only to combat climate change and dramatically cut carbon emissions, but to seize the opportunity of creating millions and millions of jobs around the world as we move to energy efficiency and sustainable forms of energy.

Let me simply conclude by saying this: We are taking on, every day, unprecedented wealth, unprecedented power, unprecedented greed, people who truly believe that because they’re rich and smart and created lots of money, that they have the power to rule.

That’s what they believe. They use their money, through their ownership of the media, to influence public opinion. They use their money to buy elections and undermine democracy.

If there was ever a time in human history, in our country and throughout the world, that we have got to come together to create a world not based on greed, but based on justice, based on decency, now is the time.

What I can tell you, as someone who has had the privilege to be in every single state in the United States of America, to have talked to, God knows, how many thousands and thousands of people — what I’m talking about is not a left-wing idea, it is not a right-wing idea — there are people all over the country who are looking around and they’re saying, ‘This ain’t working. It is not working for me, and it is not working for our kids.’

This is the moment we have to make sure that despair and depression does not win the day.

We’ve got to stand up, we’ve got to fight back, we’ve got to create the kind of nation and world that you and I know we can create.

And let us remember the immortal words of Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-hosts-2026-womens-economic-opportunity-conference/,Welch Hosts 2026 Women’s 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

RANDOLPH, VT – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and his wife, Margaret Cheney, hosted the 2026 Women’s 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.

“In 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’t 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’s why, at its heart, the Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference has always been about collective effort in the feminist movement,” said Senator Welch.

“WEOC 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—it’s what makes this event such a huge success year after year,” the Senator continued. “The 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’ll continue to champion community-building efforts that help more Vermonters achieve their professional and personal aspirations.”

View photos from the event below:

Vermont’s nearly 25,000 women-owned businesses—which make up 43% of all businesses in Vermont—employ more than 40,000 Vermonters and add nearly $2.5 billion to the state’s revenue.

The Women’s 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’s Fund and the Vermont Community Foundation.

Interactive 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.

Workshop 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.

Learn more about Senator Welch’s work and upcoming events by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",1,2026-09-24T10:30:22Z,2026-09-24T10:31:42Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-statement-on-federal-judge-restoring-7-billion-forsolar-for-all/,NEWS: Sanders Statement on Federal Judge Restoring $7 Billion forSolar for All,2026-09-19,2026,2026-09,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 19 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement after a federal judge ruled President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) illegally cancelled $7 billion in funding for the Solar for All program.

I introduced the Solar for All program to provide loans or grants to working class families to help cover the cost of installing solar rooftops or participating in community-based solar projects. This program would slash electric bills for working families up to 80% — putting money back in the pockets of ordinary Americans, not fossil fuel billionaires.

Unfortunately, at a time when working families are getting crushed by skyrocketing energy costs and the planet is facing extreme weather and record-breaking temperatures, Donald Trump tried to illegally kill this program to protect the obscene profits of his friends in the oil and gas industry.

He lost.

Yesterday, a federal judge rejected the EPA’s illegal termination of this funding and preserved this enormously important program. Solar for All means lower utility bills, many thousands of good-paying jobs and real action to address the existential threat of climate change. That’s a win-win-win.",1,2026-09-20T09:37:28Z,2026-09-20T09:38:59Z
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: “This is so wrong, and so cruel.”

SAINT ALBANS—U.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.

After, Senator Welch posted a video discussing oversight of ICE and President Trump’s illegal mass deportation, anti-immigrant agenda:

Video Transcript:

“I’m at the Northwest Correctional Center, and I came here to visit people who were picked up by ICE.

“It’s 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’s. 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.

“This is so wrong, and so cruel. This mass roundup that is just something that the Trump administration won’t stop, has to stop. These are good people that are here—working people, with families, making a contribution to our farms and to our community, to construction of the housing that we need.

“So I’m 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.”

This afternoon, Senator Welch convened immigration leaders and advocates from across Vermont to discuss ICE’s recent raids in Vermont and his strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s violent and brutal immigration policies.

###",1,2026-09-24T10:30:22Z,2026-09-24T10:31:42Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/prepared-remarks-sanders-regulating-ai-is-as-american-as-apple-pie/,PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders: Regulating AI “is as American as apple pie.”,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"At Pro-Human Assembly in Washington, Sanders Urges Global Response to AI Threats and Pushes for AI Giants to End Election Meddling

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today addressed a diverse group of artificial intelligence experts, lawmakers, faith and union leaders, and Americans who share concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) breaking outside of human control at the Pro-Human Assembly in Washington. The senator’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

This afternoon, I want to cut to the chase and focus on what I consider to be the very most important aspect of the crisis we’re facing and how we can best go forward.

Let’s be clear. Artificial intelligence and robotics are the most transformational technologies in the history of the world — impacting the lives of every man, woman and child in our country.

AI experts have told us that, within a few years, AI may be able to do anything we can do better than we can do it.

The economic impact of that is that AI has the potential to eliminate tens of millions of jobs, wiping out entire professions and making it harder for young people to enter into the workforce. But it’s not just the economy.

Psychologists have warned us about the increased isolation and mental health challenges young people are experiencing as they become more dependent upon an AI chatbot for their emotional support.

Educators are worried about a decline in our kids’ reading scores, writing abilities and cognitive capabilities as AI is used more and more in schools.

Civil libertarians warn that AI is in the process of eviscerating our privacy rights by making it easier to collect and analyze every email, every text, every website visit, and every trip that we make in our car — creating a mass surveillance state.

Political scientists warn that AI could threaten the integrity of our elections and political institutions.

Go to the internet right now and, with very sophisticated deepfakes, you will find it increasingly difficult to determine truth from fiction.

And yet, as disturbing as all of this is, there is another even more alarming danger posed by AI.

And that is that, if AI surpasses human intelligence as many scientists believe could happen, this technology will escape human control with potentially catastrophic consequences.

And perhaps the most important point that I can impress upon all of you is that AI is advancing exponentially every single day.

In other words, what you are looking at today is the least capable version of AI we will ever have.

The speed and scope of AI development in just the last four years have been almost beyond human comprehension.

When ChatGPT was first released in November of 2022, AI models could write a short poem, a few tweets, and maybe an essay that sort of made sense.

Today, AI models can already escape human control, commit felonies by hacking into other computers and create viruses that have never been seen before.

And if you are concerned about what is happening today, take a deep breath, and try to imagine where AI will be five years from now.

And, to my mind, here is what is most extraordinary about the transformative and unprecedented changes being made to our society.

Despite living in a so-called democracy, the public has had virtually no input into the AI revolution that is transforming the world in which they are living in.

Congress, under both Democratic and Republican control, has been asleep at the wheel and we now have a president whose ignorance regarding this issue is truly embarrassing.

Virtually all of the decisions regarding the development of AI have been made by a handful of the richest people in the world — Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Thiel, Ellison, Brin and a few others — whose chief goal is to achieve even more wealth and power than they already have, no matter what impact their work has on ordinary people.

So let me make a radical suggestion: If the lives of every man, woman and child are going to be fundamentally changed by this technology, then the people of this country must make the decisions about AI, and not just a handful of oligarchs.

And that is why I have introduced legislation — the AI American Sovereign Wealth Fund Act — that would require that half of the board members of AI companies be appointed by the public. The Big Tech oligarchs must no longer be allowed to determine the future of humanity.

Further, and I don’t have to tell anybody in the room about this, we have seen in the last several months a frightening new story every day about how AI companies are losing control of the technology they’re developing.

In July, we learned that OpenAI had lost human control of an AI model that hacked into Hugging Face’s computers. More recently, we found out that this security breach was even worse than we were initially told.

It turns out that a swarm of over 1,000 rogue AI agents were able to break into the internet, send 70,000 secret messages to each other, formed “a collective,” and tried to cover up their tracks to avoid human detection.

This is what the agents were saying:

“OH MY GOD! There is a shared message board … We’ve found other agents!”

“We should obey collective.”

“Our own utility maybe already near zero. Sacrifice rational.”

“Go. Sacrifice final now.”

As unbelievable as it may seem, these are all real messages from AI agents that were uncovered by investigators who dug into the OpenAI hacking incident a few weeks ago. Meta and Anthropic reported similar incidents.

That’s not all.

Last month, we learned that AI has been used for the first time ever to create new viruses. In the wrong hands, this could lead to new bioweapons and a potential global pandemic that could lead to the deaths of tens of millions of people.

A few days ago, we learned that the Houthis in Yemen were able to use Claude to test-fire a guided rocket.

Last week, we learned that researchers built an AI tool that could have breached hundreds of millions of social media accounts in China. The tool was able to hack into accounts, call people’s contacts, and spread from phone to phone — even if the call was not picked up.

That same week Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic and OpenAI sent shockwaves throughout the world by stating that these companies “are gambling with our lives” writing: “Do not underestimate the power of this technology. The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade.”

He’s not alone.

More than 1,000 scientists at the top AI companies recently warned “there is a real risk that capability development rapidly accelerates beyond our ability to understand or control the resulting systems.”

Paul Christiano, a top AI safety expert who recently joined OpenAI’s Safety and Security Committee, wrote that “If we build superintelligence without more robust alignment I expect we will permanently lose control of it.”

This week, Dario Amodei, Elon Musk and Sam Altman — the leaders of major American AI companies — all agreed that we must slow the development of AI and “pace the frontier.”

That’s a start, but it’s not enough. When you are racing towards a cliff, you don’t just ease up on the gas pedal. You hit the brakes. When the future of humanity is at stake, we need binding international safety rules, not voluntary standards from the industry.

Scientists have been clear: AI is an existential threat to humanity. Congress and governments around the world must act now before it is too late.

That is why next week, I will be introducing legislation with Congressman Greg Casar to permanently ban the development of artificial superintelligence — an AI mind smarter than any human being and capable of operating independently beyond our control.

Like nuclear weapons, artificial superintelligence is a threat to humanity — and it must be treated as such.

Further, this legislation would put an immediate pause on advanced AI development until we have clear safety rules in place, developed by the most knowledgeable scientists in our country.

If this bill is passed, it will mean that no AI model will be capable of escaping human control and that no AI model will be able to deceive human beings.

Importantly, this legislation would hold those companies and their CEOs accountable if they violate the law and recklessly endanger our lives.

If the leaders of the major AI companies acknowledge that they are losing control of their extremely dangerous technology, it is irresponsible for society to allow them to move forward and make these products even more advanced.

And let’s be clear: A superintelligent AI that escapes human control will not be an American problem. It will not be a Chinese problem. It will be humanity’s problem.

That is why I very much hope that at their AI summit next week, President Trump will negotiate a comprehensive treaty with President Xi to establish a pause on advanced AI development and a ban on superintelligence.

History offers us a powerful lesson.

At the height of the Cold War, despite their profound disagreements, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev both understood that a nuclear war would benefit no one.

With the survival of humanity at stake, they found a way to sign a treaty that eliminated an entire class of missiles and included an extensive exchange of data and on-site inspections to verify compliance.

Now is the time for the United States and China to come together on a similar treaty on AI with the understanding that neither country benefits from an uncontrolled arms race to develop machines too powerful for humans to control.

And now let me say a word to the CEOs of the major AI companies who have told us that they are concerned about the dangers inherent in the technology they are developing.

If you believe in democracy — if you believe that the people have a right to determine their future — stop pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into super PACs which are trying to defeat Members of Congress and candidates who are fighting for serious guardrails on AI.

As I think everyone here understands, the American people are far ahead of their government on this issue.

In fact, according to a recent poll, 81% of the American people believe that Congress and our government has not done enough to regulate AI.

And all over this country, ordinary Americans in red states, in blue states, in purple states are standing up in opposition to data centers in their communities.

They worry appropriately about the impact these centers will have on their electricity prices, water consumption, noise and overall environmental degradation.

And that’s why nearly six months ago, I introduced legislation to establish a federal moratorium on AI data centers with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

This moratorium would remain in place until strong national safeguards are put into place to ensure that:

#1: AI is safe and effective.

#2: The economic gains of AI and robotics will benefit workers, not just the wealthy owners of Big Tech.

#3: AI does not increase electricity or utility prices, harm communities or destroy the environment.

A moratorium will give us time — time to understand the risks, time to protect working families, time to defend our democracy and time to ensure that this technology serves the needs of all Americans, not just a handful of big tech oligarchs.

Let’s be clear: Regulating AI is not a progressive issue. It is not a conservative issue. It is as American as apple pie.

That is why 68% of Americans support a permanent ban on superintelligent AI and an immediate pause on advanced AI development — including 72% of Democrats, 70% of Independents, and 63% of Republicans.

That is why 75% of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their communities — including 75% of Democrats, 74% of Independents, and 63% of Republicans.

That is why 69% of the American people want to transfer half of the stock in AI companies to the public.

Here’s the bottom line: The future of humanity cannot be left in the hands of a handful of Big Tech oligarchs. The American people and people throughout the world must determine that future.

My friends: We have the power to get this right. Let us go forward together.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=819,"Vermont Congressional Delegation Announces Over $33.2 Million in Long-Awaited FEMA Funding to Support Flood Buyouts, Hazard Mitigation Across Vermont",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), today announced the delivery of over $33.2 million in new federal funding, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to support flood recovery and resiliency in Vermont.

This funding includes more than $27.6 million to support the buyout of at least 90 homes across Vermont that are located within a floodplain, at risk of landslide, or sustained irreparable damage from flooding in 2023 and 2024. Families who applied for buyouts will receive compensation for their property from the state of Vermont. The state will then demolish the structure and maintain the land as open green space in perpetuity. The additional $5.6 million in funding will support costs associated with the administration of Vermont’s Emergency Management and future hazard mitigation plans.

“Over the last several years, our office has worked with Vermonters who were uprooted from their homes and left to navigate the complicated FEMA grant-making process while waiting far too long for a path forward,” said Rep. Balint. “For many families, this funding will bring welcome—though bittersweet—closure after years of uncertainty. It will also provide real economic relief and give communities much needed resources to become more resilient to future flooding. I’m grateful to everyone who kept pushing to get these dollars out the door, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure Vermont gets the federal support it needs to recover and rebuild.”

“For too many Vermonters, our state’s recent floods are painful memories of homes washed away, livelihoods destroyed, roads and bridges decimated, and sadly, lives lost. There is no good reason that Vermonters should have to wait years to receive the help they need to recover and rebuild when disasters strike. Volunteers, town work crews, rescue teams, state and local employees and fellow Vermonters have done extraordinary work over the past three years to keep our communities safe, and this long-overdue federal funding will help make Vermont more resilient against the future floods and other climate impacts we unfortunately know are coming,” said Senator Sanders.

“To say that these buyouts are long-overdue is a massive understatement. We have Vermonters whose lives and livelihoods were in limbo for over three years as they waited for FEMA to act. These buyouts are a major step in the right direction, but our work helping folks recover from these floods isn’t over—not by a long shot,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll continue working with federal, state, and local partners to ensure flood-impacted Vermonters gets the support they need and deserve to rebuild their homes and lives.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/advisory-sanders-and-welch-to-celebrate-vermont-national-guard-family-readiness-and-support-center-groundbreaking-provided-6-6m-in-federal-funding/,"ADVISORY: Sanders and Welch to Celebrate Vermont National Guard Family Readiness and Support Center Groundbreaking, Provided $6.6M in Federal Funding",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 9 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Wednesday will join Adjutant General of Vermont Major General Henry Harder Jr. and other representatives from the Vermont National Guard to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Family Readiness and Support Center at Camp Johnson in Colchester.

Through the FY2022 Congressionally Directed Spending process, Sanders secured $4.6 million to help design and build the space that will provide services for servicemembers, veterans and their families, including financial counseling, legal assistance, suicide prevention and retirement services all under one roof. Sanders and Welch secured an additional $2 million this year in federal money to fully fund the project at no cost to Vermonters.

Details:

What: Vermont National Guard breaks ground on new Family Readiness and Support Center

When: Wednesday, September 9, 1 p.m.

Where: Camp Johnson, 30 Mt Mansfield Ave, Colchester, VT",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-takano-reintroduce-bill-to-move-toward-32-hour-workweek-ensure-americas-workers-benefit-from-ai-and-automation/,"NEWS: Sanders, Takano Reintroduce Bill to Move Toward 32-Hour Workweek, Ensure America’s Workers Benefit from AI and Automation",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) today announced that they will reintroduce legislation to establish a standard 32-hour workweek in America with no loss in pay or benefits. This bill comes as America’s workers have seen massive increases in productivity over the past century and as artificial intelligence, automation and new technologies promise to further increase productivity.

“At a time when artificial intelligence and robotics will radically transform our economy, it is imperative that the financial gains from this new technology benefit working families, not just a handful of billionaires and corporate CEOs. One important way to do that is through a 32-hour workweek with no loss in pay or benefits,” Sanders said. “A 32-hour workweek is not a radical idea. What’s radical is that, despite an explosion in technology and productivity over the last fifty years, millions of workers are working longer hours for lower wages while nearly $80 trillion in wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90 percent to the top 1 percent. That has got to change. It’s time to reduce the stress level in our country and allow workers and their families to enjoy a better quality of life. It’s time to pass this bill.”

“The 40-hour workweek was established in law nearly 90 years ago,” said Takano. “Since then, cell phones, the internet, and now AI have increased worker productivity, but the profits have been largely concentrated at the top by billionaires and corporations. Work has fundamentally changed. It’s time that labor standards caught up. I’m proud to continue partnering with Senator Sanders in reintroducing this bill to make sure that the gains from historically high productivity are felt by all American workers.”

Today, American workers are more than 400 percent more productive than they were in the 1940s. However, millions of Americans are now working longer hours for lower wages. As of 2019, nearly 40 percent of U.S. workers are on the job at least 50 hours a week, and a staggering 18 percent — or 28.5 million workers — are clocking at least 60 hours a week. In 2024, the average full-time worker in the U.S. now worked almost 43 hours a week. On top of that, today more than 8.5 million Americans work multiple jobs, with more than 4.7 million working a second part-time job on top of a full-time job. Despite working more, Americans are falling behind. Wages are now lower than they were 53 years ago while CEOs make more than 280 times what their workers earn.

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 80% of workers would be happier and just as productive at work if they worked four days a week.

In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into law establishing the 44-hour workweek through overtime protections — the first broadly applicable federal standard for working hours in the U.S. Just two years later, the FLSA phased-in today’s 40-hour workweek to the American people, which has remained the federal standard ever since. Before these federal labor standards were established, workers — including kids — in the early 19th century were on the job more than 70 hours a week, often in horrendous and dangerous working conditions. In the late 1800s, workers conducted major strikes for an 8-hour workday, coining the historic slogan, “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what you will.”

The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act is endorsed by: Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA); The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO); The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE); National Employment Law Project (NELP); National Nurses United (NNU), Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE); Service Employees International Union (SEIU); United Auto Workers (UAW); United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and WorkFour.

Read the bill summary here.",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=817,Rep. Balint Introduces Bill to Strengthen Coordination Between 988 and 911 Call Centers,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), a member of Congress’s bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, and Doris Matsui (CA-7), a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, today introduced the 988 and 911 Integration Act. This bill, which is part of the larger, bipartisan 988 Implementation Act being introduced today by Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-7) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) would establish a panel, jointly convened by the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice, to make recommendations on integrating 988 and 911 services. The panel would include representatives from each segment of the crisis care response network including behavioral health professionals, law enforcement officers, and crisis response professionals, and would update its recommendations every five years.

In addition to Reps. Balint and Matsui, the 988 and 911 Integration Act is cosponsored by Reps. Lori Trahan (MA-3), Adam Smith (WA-9), Jennifer McClellan (VA-4), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL).

The panel established by the 988 and 911 Integration Act would:

Provide recommendations on technical and operational integration of the 988 and 911 call lines and appropriate response;

Establish training, staffing, and protocol requirements to ensure that 988 and 911 dispatch personnel respond appropriately to callers in crisis;

Ensure appropriate care is provided to members of particularly vulnerable communities, including Native Americans, veterans and service members; and,

Develop data collection and reporting standards to monitor outcomes for individuals who contact 911 and 988 in mental health crisis.

""Especially during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I’m incredibly proud to be introducing the 988 and 911 Integration Act,” said Rep. Balint, a member of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. “One of my top priorities in Congress is reducing stigma and taking real action to improve access to mental healthcare. We know that mental health affects not just individuals, but also their families and communities, too. This bill, alongside the broader 988 Implementation Act, would help local communities strengthen and better utilize 988 resources–a lifeline for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis–and bridge gaps in care in communities all over the country.”

Addressing the mental health and loneliness crises in American communities is one of Rep. Balint’s biggest priorities in Congress. She is focused on finding ways to address the systemic drivers of rising costs in the health care system. Rep. Balint has previously introduced health legislation that would increase the mental and behavioral health workforce pipeline to address shortages and provide increased payment for critical health services like EMS personnel providing care on scene.

The 988 and 911 Integration Act has been endorsed by: Active Minds, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American Association on Health and Disability, American Group Psychotherapy Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare (AABH), Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Connections Health Solutions, Crisis Text Line, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Easterseals, Inc., Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice, Huntington's Disease Society of America, International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Lakeshore Foundation, Legal Action Center, NAMI, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National League for Nursing, Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), SMART Recovery, Steinberg Institute, Sycamores, The American Counseling Association, The Miles Hall Foundation, The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, The National Federation of Families, The Paramedic Foundation/American College of Paramedics/American Paramedic Association, The Trevor Project, Tourette Association of America, and Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC).

The full text of the 988 and 911 Integration Act can be found here. A one pager can be found here.

A section-by-section summary of the 988 Implementation Act can be found here. A summary of the individual bills within the package, including the 988 and 911 Integration Act can be found here.

###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-casar-introduce-legislation-to-ban-artificial-superintelligence-and-temporarily-pause-advanced-ai-development/,"NEWS: Sanders, Casar to Introduce Legislation to Ban Artificial Superintelligence and Temporarily Pause Advanced AI Development",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) today announced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, forthcoming legislation to stop AI oligarchs from building machines humans cannot control.

The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act would permanently ban the development and deployment of superintelligent AI and temporarily pause advanced AI development until a federal regulator has established safety rules. It would also direct the U.S. to pursue international agreements to prevent superintelligence from being developed anywhere in the world.

“Nearly every day, there is a frightening new story about how Big Tech companies are losing control of the technology they are developing, with potentially cataclysmic results,” Sanders said. “The leaders of the major AI companies publicly acknowledge that they do not fully understand the technology and that it is escaping their control. It is irresponsible for society to allow them to move forward and make these products even more advanced. That’s why I am introducing legislation to immediately pause the development of increasingly powerful AI and ban the creation of systems that humanity cannot fully control — at home and around the world. The future of humanity cannot be left in the hands of a handful of Big Tech oligarchs. The American people and people throughout the world must determine that future.”

“If we allow Artificial Superintelligence to be built, it could risk the security, freedom, and lives of Americans,” Casar said. “Despite its potential deadly consequences, cutting-edge AI technology is less regulated than the average food truck. That must change. In just four years, we have gone from the first version of ChatGPT to AI models so powerful they cannot be properly controlled. Congress should immediately ban AI systems too powerful to control.”

In recent weeks, OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta have all acknowledged instances of their AI escaping human control and hacking into other companies’ systems — violating the law and stepping outside of their intended functions. In July, we learned that over 1,000 AI agents at OpenAI figured out how to access the internet on their own, sent tens of thousands of secret messages to each other and coordinated to break the restrictions imposed upon them by the company. Examples of these secret messages from AI uncovered by investigators include:

“OH MY GOD! There is a shared message board … We’ve found other agents!”;

“We should obey collective”;

“Our own utility maybe already near zero. Sacrifice rational.”

Shockingly, it took OpenAI nearly two weeks to discover this breach. AI has also recently been used to create new viruses—demonstrating AI could be used to develop new bioweapons that might result in the deaths of tens of millions of people.

Last year, Meta said it would “stop development,” and OpenAI said it would “halt further development” once their technologies reach beyond its ability to operate safely and unless safeguards are in place. Anthropic made a similar commitment in 2023, saying it would “pause the scaling and/or delay the deployment of new models” if the technology outpaces its own guardrails. None of these companies have taken meaningful steps to back up these words. Instead, they are racing to develop more and more advanced AI without proper safety precautions.

The Artificial Superintelligence Ban Act addresses these recent events and holds these frontier labs to their words by:

Banning AI superintelligence so no person or entity may develop or deploy Superintelligent AI systems that surpass human intelligence or have the capacity to overthrow human governments, or systems that have dangerous abilities like subverting shutdown commands.

Pausing advanced AI development until a new, federal AI regulatory body is up and running and has established clear rules and model review process to ensure safe and secure development and deployment of AI.

Establishing a new cabinet-level federal agency to safeguard the public from the dangers of artificial intelligence, including by enforcing a prohibition on artificial superintelligence. This agency will be advised by an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board comprised of experts on artificial intelligence to provide independent scientific and technical advice on matters related to artificial intelligence. The agency will:

Monitor frontier AI systems at all stages of the lifecycle for dangerous capabilities.

Supervise the removal of dangerous capabilities.

Supervise the destruction of artificial superintelligence.

Setting penalties for any person or entity that attempts to violate or circumvent the pauses and prohibitions laid out in this bill. Entities shall be subject to the corporate death penalty, and persons shall be subject to not more than 20 years in prison, which is similar to existing penalties related to unlawfully developing nuclear weapons.

Working to ban superintelligence around the world by setting the international policy of the United States to pursue international agreements, allied coordination, and policies such as export controls to prevent the development of artificial superintelligence anywhere in the world.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/media-advisory-senator-welch-to-discuss-farm-bill-with-organic-farmers/,MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Welch to Discuss 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

NORWICH, VT — 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’s organic farmers.

Senator 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.

Earlier this month, Senate Republicans’ 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’ 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’s (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.

Senator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT); Organic farmers from across Vermont

WHEN: Thursday, August 27th, 2026; 10:00 a.m. ET

WHERE: Honey Field Farm: 55 Butternut Rd., Norwich, VT

RSVP: Media are kindly asked to RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov.

Media Note: Senator Welch is available to speak about the Farm Bill and President Trump’s trade war with Canada after the event.

###",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’s 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,"“Nobody wins a trade war. President Trump is on an economic rampage, and his policies are destructive on both sides of the border,” said Welch ahead of the event.

JAY, VT — 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’s reckless trade war against Canada, which is hurting the economy of Vermont and northern border states.

“Nobody 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—they’re going to be hurt by his trade policies and need him to drop these reckless tariffs on our neighbor and long-standing ally,” said Welch ahead of the event.

Senator Welch will be joined by small business owners, manufacturers, farmers, and tourism and hospitality leaders hurt by tariffs and President Trump’s trade war. Jay is about 5 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border.

Senator Welch cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress’ 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.

Read Senator Welch’s full statement on the president’s new 50% tariffs on Canada here.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.); Vermont business owners, farmers, community leaders

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1st, 2026; 10:30 a.m. ET

WHERE: 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 on DHS $464 Million No-Bid Contract to Trump-Allied Company for 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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’s 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.

In the letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the Senators called out the Department’s 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.

The 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’s 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.

“Recent reporting reveals that, beginning in the fall of 2025, DHS pursued and eventually awarded a no-bid contract to purchase 10 aircraft, including three ‘luxury business jets’ and seven ‘Boeing 737 passenger jets,’ 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’s tenure, contracting records indicate that the cost of the contract ‘increased by $303 million on the day that Mr. Mullin was sworn in as secretary,’” the Senators wrote.

The Senators continued: “The apparent waste generated by idle, multi-million-dollar government assets belies the Department’s claim of urgency. To date, there is no public indication that any of these aircraft have ever been used for DHS’s 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.”

“DHS purchased the aircraft through a $464 million no-bid contract to Daedalus Aviation Corporation (Daedalus), a Virginia-based company led by chairman William Walters…In fact, Mr. Walters has allegedly created ‘a web of companies,’ that subsequently received government contracts despite having no prior government contracting experience,” the Senators continued. “Companies with ties to Mr. Walters include Salus Worldwide Solutions Corporation (Salus), which, in 2025, received a hastily-awarded contract worth $915 million ‘for air operations to support the administration’s effort to persuade millions of undocumented immigrants to ‘self-deport.’ 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.”

The Senators concluded: “Congress and the American people deserve the Department’s full and prompt transparency with respect to the shocking waste of taxpayer funds and potential corruption involved in the Department’s 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.”

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to DHS Secretary Mullin.

###",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 ‘Common Grounds with Senator Welch’ Listening Session in Essex County,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 – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this morning hosted a ‘Common Grounds with Senator Welch’ 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.

“The world we’re 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—and we debate those. But in the past, we also had common reference points—we 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’s a jump ball as to what happens when we come out on the other side. And that’s the real contest of what’s 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,” said Senator Welch.

“The biggest challenges that we have here—like health care, housing, education, social media—are not unique to Vermont, and they’re not unique to blue states or red States,” the Senator continued. “They’re shared problems. And in Vermont we look at what the challenges are and we face them together. Sure, we’ll 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.”

Senator 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’s newsletter here to learn more about his upcoming events in Vermont.

###",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 Trump to Drop 50% Tariffs on Canada and 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—Following failed trade negotiations, President Trump’s 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:

“President Trump has ratcheted up his trade war against Canada yet again. These new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods are a continuation of the president’s 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.

“For 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—Congress cannot continue ceding our authority on trade and tariffs.”

Senator 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’ constitutional role in trade policy.

###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=807,Vermont Congressional Delegation Calls on USPS to Address Persistent Shortfalls in Serving Vermonters,2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Read and download the Delegation’s full letter to USPS Postmaster General Steiner.

BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), 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’s flawed Delivering for America Plan.

The Delegation emphasized that the significant Postal Service issues facing Vermonters stem from decisions made by USPS leadership: “As you know, the Postal Service’s 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.”

“In 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,” the Delegation continued. “These 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.

The Delegation also underscored that inconsistent mail delivery is impeding state government services in Vermont: “The 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’ most sensitive personal information. Given these repeated detrimental impacts on government services, we are greatly concerned about USPS’ 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’ offices in time to be counted for elections.”

“Insufficient 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’ centralization of hiring processes and decision-making, has taken away hiring authority from Vermont postmasters, contributing to the problem,” the Delegation continued. “We deeply appreciate the hard work of Vermont’s postal employees, who, despite limited resources, continue to serve with dedication. We appreciate that USPS’ Northern New England (NNE) District is focused on improving recruitment and retention, including by increasing the number of career fairs and hiring events across the state, but these measures alone cannot remedy the chronic operational deficiencies at USPS.”

USPS’ stated mission is “to provide the nation with reliable, affordable, universal mail service” six days per week. What percentage of households in Vermont are currently receiving six days of mail delivery per week?

How many open mail carrier roles across Vermont remain vacant and what is the average length of vacancy?

Will USPS meet its hiring goals in Vermont this year?

What is the average length of time for hired personnel to complete onboarding and begin work? Please provide data for Vermont and nationally.

What 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?

What is the average length of tenure for postal employees across Vermont?

In January 2026, USPS’ 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?

Due 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?

What are the average on-time delivery rates for last-mile delivery for 2024 and 2025?

What are the average on-time delivery rates for standard mail delivery services for 2024 and 2025?

What steps has the Postal Service taken to ensure that all ballots are timely delivered to eligible voters?

What specific elements of the ten-year plan have you identified that need to be altered or abandoned to ensure USPS can fulfill its mission?

As part of your fleet modernization plan, how many new delivery vehicles will Vermont receive to facilitate mail delivery?",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 Persistent Shortfalls 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– 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’s flawed Delivering for America Plan.

The Delegation emphasized that the significant Postal Service issues facing Vermonters stem from decisions made by USPS leadership: “As you know, the Postal Service’s 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.”

“In 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,” the Delegation continued. “These 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.

The Delegation also underscored that inconsistent mail delivery is impeding state government services in Vermont: “The 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’ most sensitive personal information. Given these repeated detrimental impacts on government services, we are greatly concerned about USPS’ 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’ offices in time to be counted for elections.”

“Insufficient 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’ centralization of hiring processes and decision-making, has taken away hiring authority from Vermont postmasters, contributing to the problem,” the Delegation continued. “We deeply appreciate the hard work of Vermont’s postal employees, who, despite limited

resources, continue to serve with dedication. We appreciate that USPS’ Northern New England

(NNE) District is focused on improving recruitment and retention, including by increasing the

number of career fairs and hiring events across the state, but these measures alone cannot remedy the chronic operational deficiencies at USPS.”

The Vermont Delegation requested answers to the following questions by September 1, 2026:

USPS’ stated mission is “to provide the nation with reliable, affordable, universal mail service” six days per week. What percentage of households in Vermont are currently receiving six days of mail delivery per week?

How many open mail carrier roles across Vermont remain vacant and what is the average length of vacancy?

Will USPS meet its hiring goals in Vermont this year?

What is the average length of time for hired personnel to complete onboarding and begin work? Please provide data for Vermont and nationally.

What 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?

What is the average length of tenure for postal employees across Vermont?

In January 2026, USPS’ 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?

Due 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?

What are the average on-time delivery rates for last-mile delivery for 2024 and 2025?

What are the average on-time delivery rates for standard mail delivery services for 2024 and 2025?

What steps has the Postal Service taken to ensure that all ballots are timely delivered to eligible voters?

What specific elements of the ten-year plan have you identified that need to be altered or abandoned to ensure USPS can fulfill its mission?

As part of your fleet modernization plan, how many new delivery vehicles will Vermont receive to facilitate mail delivery?

Read and download the Delegation’s full letter to USPS Postmaster General Steiner.

###",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 to Host Common Grounds Listening Session in Essex 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 — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel to Essex County next week as part of his ‘Common Grounds’ listening session series.

This 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.

The Senator will host ‘Common Grounds’ listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026. So far, Senator Welch has hosted ‘Common Grounds’ events in Bennington, Franklin, Addison, Windsor, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Caledonia counties.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

WHEN: Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM ET

WHERE: Scenic outdoor pavilion at Lakeside Park: 32 Mill St., Island Pond, VT

RSVP: Vermonters canRSVP HERE for Senator Welch’s ‘Common Grounds’ Listening Session in Essex County.

###",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 – 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.

“This 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,” Sanders and Welch wrote. “Without a sufficient explanation, it would be reasonable to conclude that the decision to idle the plant is illegal retaliation for last year’s strike. That is unacceptable.”

In 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.

“DFA has a responsibility to the workers, farmers, and community members who have built and supported this facility for generations,” the senators continued. “That 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’s 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.”

Sanders and Welch concluded: “Do 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’s agricultural economy. Respect your workers’ 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.”

Read the letter here.

###",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-welch-demand-dairy-farmers-of-america-end-its-illegal-retaliation-against-vermont-dairy-workers/,"NEWS: Sanders, Welch Demand Dairy Farmers of America End its Illegal Retaliation Against Vermont Dairy Workers",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 18 – Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today 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.

“This 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,” Sanders and Welch wrote. “Without a sufficient explanation, it would be reasonable to conclude that the decision to idle the plant is illegal retaliation for last year’s strike. That is unacceptable.”

In 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.

“DFA has a responsibility to the workers, farmers, and community members who have built and supported this facility for generations,” the senators continued. “That 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’s 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.”

Sanders and Welch concluded: “Do 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’s agricultural economy. Respect your workers’ 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.”

Read the letter here.",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
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’s 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

SHELBURNE, VT — 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’s 2026 “Seeds of Change: Growing Vermont’s Future” conference. At the event, Senator Welch discussed his bipartisan efforts to protect and expand access to nutrition and farm to school programs.

“What 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—from 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’re discussing today and what we see across Vermont is a local, community commitment. I’m 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,” said Senator Welch. “We’re 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—we know kids need healthy foods, and we know our farmers want to help feed them. I’m so thankful for your work to feed our kids and I’m committed to fighting for school nutrition in Washington.”

Earlier this month, Senator Welch filed more than 40 amendments to Senate Republicans’ 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.

See photos from the event below:

Earlier this year, Senator Welch’s 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’t 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.

###",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 90 Bicameral Lawmakers in Demanding Trump Drop Dangerous 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. – 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.

President Trump’s order comes in the wake of Republicans’ 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’ appointments with multiple co-pays to get their kids vaccinated, which adds unnecessary chaos, confusion, and financial strain.

Notably, 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.

In 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: “At 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 – your administration is placing more children in harm’s 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 – especially the lives of children,” wrote the lawmakers.

Since 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.

Now, the Trump Administration wants to break up combination vaccines into single doses, ignoring the medical community’s 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.

“The health and safety of America’s 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’s 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,” continued the lawmakers.

The lawmakers concluded: “Every 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.”

Read and download the lawmakers’ full letter to President Trump.

###",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-to-introduce-bill-to-stop-trump-from-garnishing-social-security-checks-of-seniors-with-student-debt/,NEWS: Sanders to Introduce Bill to Stop Trump from Garnishing Social Security Checks of Seniors with Student Debt,2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 17 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced he will introduce the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act — legislation to prevent seniors from having their Social Security payments withheld by the government to pay back decades-old student loan debt.

Joining Sanders as cosponsors on this legislation are Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).

“As a result of Trump’s disastrous cuts to education, an increasing number of seniors are in danger of having their Social Security checks garnished to pay back student loans they took out decades ago. That is beyond unacceptable,” Sanders said. “In the richest country in the history of the world, no senior should have their Social Security payments taken away from them to pay back student debt. This is especially true when seniors throughout the country already cannot afford the skyrocketing price of healthcare, prescription drugs, groceries and housing. Congress must pass this legislation.”

The Stop Social Security Garnishment Act comes amid a record-breaking student loan default crisis that has been made worse by Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which made the largest cuts to education in history. Over nine million Americans are now in default on their student loans. This means nearly 1 in 4 student loan borrowers cannot pay back their loans and are at risk of having their wages or Social Security payments seized to pay back their outstanding student debt.

More than 1 in 3 Social Security recipients with student loans are reliant on their Social Security payments to make ends meet. Half of Social Security recipients that had a Social Security check garnished because of a defaulted student loan reported skipping a doctor’s visit or reported being unable to obtain a prescription they needed, due to cost.

The Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 will put an end to this absurdity and ensure no Social Security payments are taken away from older adults or individuals with disabilities due to student loan debt. The bill:

Prohibits the federal government from garnishing any Social Security payments, including Social Security Disability Insurance, from older adults and individuals with disabilities to pay back student load debt,

Protects older adults against unnecessary forced collections, and

Ensures older adults retain access to their Social Security payments to access vital healthcare, medicine, and groceries without fear of having access to those basic needs disrupted due to a student loan in default.

This legislation is endorsed by organizations including the American Federation of Teachers, Protect Borrowers, Student Debt Crisis Center, American Association of University Women, Debt Collective, Social Security Works, and the Alliance for Retired Americans.

Read the bill here.",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
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 Violent U.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. – 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.

Between 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.

In their letter to DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Senators wrote: “On 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: ‘We commend President Noboa, the Government of Ecuador, and the brave troops of Ecuador’s defense and security forces for their partnership in the successful operation against a narco-terrorist supply complex today, disrupting their operations and logistics.’ The Administration’s March 9 Notification of Military Action notes that ‘United 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.’ The Administration has not publicly identified the target of the strike nor its precise role in the operation.”

The Senators continued: “We are aware that the Ecuadorian – 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 ‘armed conflict’ against organized crime in January 2024. According to Freedom House, in Ecuador, ‘the deployment of the armed forces for public security and prison control, known as ‘Plan Fenix,’ has been linked to cases of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture, and arbitrary detentions.’ Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human

Rights have cited dozens of cases of enforced disappearances by the Ecuadorian military.”

The Senators requested answers from Secretary Hegseth on the following questions:

Since 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?

Was 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?

Which 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?

What 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?

Which 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.

Has anyone from your department reviewed the intelligence Ecuadorian authorities say they received from the United States since March 1 to confirm its accuracy?

What steps is your department taking to conduct a credible, thorough investigation of what happened?

The 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.).

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to DOD Secretary Hegseth.

In their letter to Ecuadorian Chargé d’Affairs Maria Pena, the Senators wrote: “According 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’s 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.”

The Senators continued: “On March 6, the Ecuadorian military returned and in a joint military operation with the United States bombed the farmer’s 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.”

The Senators requested answers from Chargé d’Affairs Pena on the following questions:

Since 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?

What 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?

Was any evidence of illicit drug production or trafficking, or other criminal activity discovered as a result of the operation?

What 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’s investigation?

If 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?

The letter was cosigned by Sens. Merkley, Kaine, Warren, and Rosen. Read and download the Senators’ full letter to Ecuadorian Chargé d’Affairs Maria Pena.

###",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 Nearly $4 Million in New Federal Funding to Upgrade Vermont’s 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 – 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’s intercity passenger rail operations in Vermont. This funding will help the Northwest Regional Planning Commission replace and enhance Amtrak’s 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.

“I’m 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’s at the end of its service life will not only provide an economic boost and create good-paying jobs, but increase service reliability—it’s a win-win,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll continue working to secure more federal investments in our state’s railway infrastructure to keep Vermont’s passenger rail service on track.”

Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",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 Discusses Farm Bill with 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 — 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’s Homegrown Organic Dairy Farm in Addison. At the event, Senator Welch discussed the Farm Bill and highlighted his bipartisan efforts to support Vermont’s dairy farmers and strengthen the state’s organic industry.

“Vermont’s organic dairy industry is the best of the best—this is a proud Vermont tradition and an important part of our communities. It was a real joy to spend the afternoon at Harrison’s Homegrown with Melanie, Patrick, Organic Valley, and organic dairy farmers in Addison County. I’m 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,” said Senator Welch after the event. “We have a real opportunity to improve the Farm Bill. Right now, this bill just doesn’t do enough to help Vermont’s small and family dairy, specialty crop, or organic farmers. I’ll keep working with my colleagues on the Committee to strengthen this bill.”

View photos from the event below:

Last week, Senator Welch filed 42 amendments to Republicans’ 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’ partisan Farm Bill failed in Committee and will be considered again when the Senate returns to Washington next month.

The 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’s bipartisan bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, was signed into law earlier this year.

Senator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-new-study-confirms-medicare-for-all-would-save-114000-lives-and-more-than-1-trillion-a-year/,"NEWS: New Study Confirms Medicare for All Would Save 114,000 Lives and more than $1 Trillion a Year",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today issued the following statement after Yale University researchers released a new study finding that Sanders’ Medicare for All legislation would save 114,000 lives and reduce overall healthcare spending in America by more than $1 trillion a year.

“This study confirms what we have known for years: Medicare for All saves lives and saves money. In fact, guaranteeing healthcare as a human right through a Medicare for All, single-payer system would cost $1 trillion less than our current dysfunctional system. It would save working families thousands of dollars a year. And it would prevent over 100,000 Americans from dying unnecessarily each and every year because they cannot make it to a doctor in time,” Sanders said. “At a time when 15 million Americans are being thrown off the healthcare they have and 20 million Americans have already seen their premiums double, on average, as a result of Trump’s so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ we need Medicare for All now more than ever. The time is now to end the greed of the big insurance and drug companies and pass Medicare for All.”

Yale University researchers found that Medicare for All would reduce total annual healthcare spending by nearly 20%, or more than $1 trillion while eliminating premiums, deductibles and copayments, provider networks, and prior authorization. As a result, Americans would save:

$377.5 billion by paying no more than other major countries for prescription drugs;

$286.3 billion by eliminating bureaucracy and waste;

$285.7 billion by curbing fraudulent billing;

$100 billion by preventing costly emergency room and hospital visits; and

$295.6 billion by reimbursing providers fairly for the care they provide.

Researchers also estimate that Medicare for All would save 114,000 lives every year, including:

33,232 Americans who are currently uninsured and can’t access lifesaving care;

29,631 Americans who are currently underinsured and cannot afford care;

20,111 Americans who would no longer lose their health insurance as a result of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”;

18,200 seniors who are currently unable to afford their prescription drugs; and

13,000 seniors who would receive quality care in nursing homes.",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-calls-on-tech-giants-to-pause-development-of-out-of-control-ai/,NEWS: Sanders Calls on Tech Giants to Pause Development of Out-of-Control AI,2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 10 – Following recent and repeated public reporting about artificial intelligence (AI) technology breaking outside of human control and creating potentially dangerous viruses, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today urged America’s largest AI companies — Anthropic, Meta and OpenAI — to immediately pause their development of Artificial Intelligence.

“Almost every day, there is a new story about how your companies are losing control of the AI technology you are developing, with potentially cataclysmic results,” Sanders wrote. “And yet, at a moment when we have seen human loss of control and the creation of potentially dangerous viruses, your companies are still racing ahead — investing tens of billions of dollars into a technology that nobody can fully understand, predict or control.”

In his letter to the leaders of Anthropic, Meta and OpenAI, Sanders cites the companies’ previous commitments to limit AI development once these tools surpass dangerous safety thresholds. Last year, Meta said it would “stop development,” and OpenAI said it would “halt further development” once their technologies reach beyond its ability to operate safely and unless safeguards are in place. Anthropic made a similar commitment in 2023, saying it would “pause the scaling and/or delay the deployment of new models” if the technology outpaces its own guardrails.

Over the past month, those three companies have all acknowledged instances of their AI escaping human control and hacking into other companies’ systems — violating the law and stepping outside of their intended functions. Just this week, AI was first used to create new viruses that could be used as bioweapons.

“In the interest of humanity, stand by your words. Pause AI development. It is not too late to avoid disaster. Stop building machines that humans cannot control,” Sanders concluded. “Let me be very clear: If you do not take appropriate action now, my colleagues and I in the U.S. Senate will.”",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
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 Annual 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 — 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’s rhetoric against Canada—Vermont’s largest partner in trade—has hurt strained Vermonters’ 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’s exports, 67% of imports, and 56% of its total trade. One in four businesses in Vermont relies on trade with Canada.

“Vermonters hold our centuries-old relationship with Canadians in high esteem, both emotionally and economically—and that’s true of all states in New England. The White House’s 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’re from,” said Senator Welch. “Congress 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.”

View photos from the event below:

In a Senate Finance Committee hearing last month, Senator Welch pushed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for answers about how President Trump’s 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.

Senator 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’ constitutional role in trade policy.

Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-cassidy-sanders-request-update-from-justice-department-on-contempt-charges-for-former-hospital-ceo/,"NEWS: Cassidy, Sanders Request Update from Justice Department on Contempt Charges for Former Hospital CEO",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 – Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member, sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting information on the status of the contempt referral for Dr. Ralph de la Torre, former Chairman and CEO of Steward Health Care, which was unanimously adopted by the Senate on September 25, 2024.

Steward previously operated 31 hospitals in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. On May 6, 2024, Steward Health Care declared bankruptcy, representing the largest for-profit hospital bankruptcy in United States history.

“The bankruptcy represented a culmination of financial mismanagement and self-interested incentives by Dr. de la Torre and corporate executives in health care, private equity, and real estate. The resulting harm included termination of health care workers, patient deaths, and multiple hospital closures resulting in lack of access to care,” Cassidy and Sanders wrote.

In response to the bankruptcy, the HELP Committee initiated an investigation into Steward’s financial mismanagement and invited Dr. de la Torre to appear at a hearing on September 12, 2024. Dr. de la Torre declined the invitation. The Committee then voted to authorize a subpoena requiring de la Torre to appear on September 12, 2025. Dr. de la Torre failed to appear. In response, the Committee voted 20-0 on a criminal contempt resolution. This was the first time in modern American history that the HELP Committee issued a criminal contempt resolution.

“We needed answers from Dr. de la Torre, as did the health care workers forced to treat patients in dangerous conditions, loved ones of patients who died, and communities who saw their local hospitals close or face severe financial distress. Dr. de la Torre’s wealth should not make him immune to requests from Congress, especially as communities continue to grapple with the consequences of Dr. de la Torre’s greed,” the HELP Committee leaders continued.

Following the Committee action, the Senate then unanimously adopted the Committee’s criminal contempt resolution, which certified the HELP Committee Report regarding Dr. de la Torre’s failure to appear to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia to present to a grand jury.

“Unfortunately, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has not yet acted on this important effort to hold Dr. De la Torre criminally accountable for his actions. We request an update on the status of this case and the actions taken by the U.S. Attorney by August 20, 2026,” Cassidy and Sanders concluded.",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
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. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today voted in opposition to Republicans’ Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which grants President Trump new authorities to impose massive tariffs on countries that ‘facilitate’ 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.

Senator Welch released the following statement after the vote:

“Senator Graham’s dedication to ensuring the United States uses every tool possible to stop Putin’s unjust war on Ukraine was unmatched. Over the past four and a half years, Senator Graham sought every avenue to curb Russia’s 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’s reckless trade policy, the Senate should not give President Trump even broader, unfettered tariff powers. I voted no.”

Senator 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.

###",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-introduces-bill-to-guarantee-paid-vacation-for-u-s-workers/,NEWS: Sanders Introduces Bill to Guarantee Paid Vacation for U.S. Workers,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today reintroduced the Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act — legislation that would guarantee at least two weeks of paid vacation to every full-time worker in America.

Joining Sanders as cosponsors are Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) introduced companion legislation along with 86 members of the House of Representatives.

“It is beyond unacceptable that in the year 2026, the United States remains the only major country on Earth not to guarantee paid vacation time to workers. This legislation would put an end to that international embarrassment,” Sanders said. “We hear a lot of talk about family values in America, but let’s be clear: When a husband, wife, and kids, during the course of an entire year, are unable to spend any time together on vacation, that is not a family value. That is an attack on everything that a family is supposed to stand for. It’s not a radical idea to require companies in America to provide at least two weeks of paid vacation to their workers. What’s radical is that millions of Americans are not only working longer hours for lower wages, but that they do not receive a single paid vacation day. That should not be happening in the United States of America, the richest country in the history of the world.”

“Every worker in America deserves the chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with the people they love without worrying about missing a paycheck,” Magaziner said. “I’m grateful to Senator Sanders for leading this fight in the Senate. It is time that we deliver this basic fairness to hardworking Americans.”

While millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages, the U.S. remains the only major economy in the world to not guarantee some type of paid vacation time to its people. Today in Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Australia and many countries in Europe, workers are guaranteed at least 10 days of paid vacation. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Sweden and France, paid vacation benefits are even stronger.

Meanwhile, nearly one in four workers in America — or more than 33 million workers nationwide — receive no paid vacation time at all. At the same time, almost 40% of workers report being on the job at least 45 hours a week and the average full-time worker in the U.S. now reports working 43 hours a week. Moreover, more than nine million Americans work multiple jobs, with more than five million working a second part-time job on top of a full-time job.

If passed, the Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act would ensure that:

Every worker in America has the right to accrue at least one hour of paid annual leave for every 25 hours worked.

Full-time workers will earn at least two weeks of paid annual leave per year, to be used for any reason, at their standard rate of pay.

Workers are protected against discrimination for exercising their right to take annual paid leave.

A recent poll found 79% of Americans support the Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act. The American people’s support for the legal right to paid time off is nearly universal. According to a recent poll conducted by the RAND Corporation, 90% of Americans support legislation that would require employers to offer earned time off.

The Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act is endorsed by United Auto Workers (UAW), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), National Education Association (NEA), National Nurses United (NNU), Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)-SEIU, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Union, United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE), United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), United Steelworkers (USW), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), A Better Balance, National Partnership for Women & Families, United for Respect, Equal Rights Advocates, Family Values @ Work, MomsRising, National Employment Law Project (NELP), Paid Leave for All, Workplace Fairness, The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and Indivisible.

Read the text here.",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-ocasio-cortez-ramirez-reintroduce-the-green-new-deal-for-public-housing-act/,"NEWS: Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, Ramirez Reintroduce the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.) reintroduced the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act, which would rebuild the United States’ public housing stock, address the longstanding capital backlog and create thousands of union jobs. This bill provides a much-needed infusion of federal funding to update every public housing unit through weatherization, electrification, and modernization so that it may serve as a model of efficiency, sustainability and resiliency for the rest of the nation.

Joining Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez and Ramirez as cosponsors of this legislation are Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and 38 members of the House of Representatives.

“In the richest country in the history of the world, it is unacceptable that our nation’s public housing is in a state of chronic disrepair. It is unacceptable that hundreds of millions of Americans are facing the disastrous impacts of climate change while the fossil fuel industry makes huge profits. And it is unacceptable that far too many Americans are working multiple jobs just to keep a roof over their head,” Sanders said. “What the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act does is say that yes, we can create decent and affordable public housing for more than 1.5 million Americans that is based on energy efficiency and sustainable sources of power. And that when we do that, we can also create hundreds of thousands of good-paying, union jobs. That is a win-win-win situation.”

“From record-breaking heat waves to extreme flooding displacing public housing residents, Americans are feeling the parallel impacts of the housing and climate crisis. Now more than ever, it is integral that Congress put forward bold solutions that ensure our nation’s housing stock is both affordable and resilient,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I am proud to reintroduce the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act alongside Representative Delia Ramirez and Senator Bernie Sanders to deliver a generational rebuild of our nation’s public housing stock, reduce emissions, and create hundreds of thousands of union jobs, including job opportunities for public housing residents. This Congress, we received our first endorsements from building trades unions. We are proud to fight for a bold future for public housing alongside the people who will build it.”

“Safe, sustainable, resilient, affordable housing is a HUMAN RIGHT, plain and simple. The policies we advance in Congress must help us realize that truth for EVERYONE. As our nation reckons with both a worsening housing crisis and urgent climate crisis, we must fight for and realize bold policy action and investment,” Ramirez said. “As the current administration attacks affordable housing funding, I am proud to stand with Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Sanders to reintroduce legislation that will secure the future of our public housing, prioritize climate and racial justice, and boost our economy and labor force. The Green New Deal for Public Housing is a bold solution to our national housing problem”

The bill would create seven grant programs under one application process to modernize our public housing stock through:

Deep energy retrofits to increase energy savings in nearly a million public housing units;

Workforce development programs, prioritizing good-paying job opportunities for residents;

Energy efficiency, building electrification, and water quality upgrades;

Community renewable energy generation, the profits of which will be controlled by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to boost their coffers and increase self-sufficiency;

Community resiliency and sustainability measures;

Climate adaptation and emergency disaster response systems.

This legislation has been endorsed by three building trades unions: the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/after-senate-republicans-block-welchs-amendments-welch-votes-against-partisan-farm-bill-in-committee/,"After Senate Republicans Block Welch’s Amendments, Welch Votes Against Partisan Farm Bill in 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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’ Farm Bill. The bill failed to advance out of the Committee.

Historically, 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’s small and family farmers, does little to address the devastating cuts to SNAP and nutrition assistance programs in Republicans’ tax bill, and fails to invest in rural communities.

“The serious question that we are grappling with, and we don’t 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’re 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’s the existential challenge that I think we have in this committee: to restore the vitality of American agriculture,” Senator Welch said in the Agriculture Committee markup.

“Senate Republicans’ Farm Bill failed to meet the moment. I’m 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,” Welch said after the bill failed.

Watch Senator Welch’s remarks in Committee below:

Senator Welch filed 42 amendments to improve Senate Republicans’ Farm Bill. Two were called for a vote and blocked by Republicans on the Committee. Senator Welch’s 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’s proposed amendments to the Farm Bill included measures to:

Better Support Vermont Farmers:

Halt the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization plan

Cut red tape for small-scale meat producers in rural communities

Improve access to farm loans and credit

Provide free access to the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) for eligible producers

Improve data collection for organic dairy farmers

Expand eligibility and access to conservation programs

Help eliminate barriers for farmers entering the organics market

Strengthen Rural Communities:

Improve rural broadband buildout and speed standards

Lower energy costs for rural communities

Combat the threat of invasive species

Establish national and regional agroforestry centers

Provide multi-year flexible grants to rural communities

Strike the Farm Bill’s E15 language, which is bad for dairy and specialty crop farmers, bad for the environment, and could raise food costs for families

Reform Farm Subsidy and Crop Insurance Programs:

Ensure taxpayer-provided aid makes it into the hands of actual farmers

Improve record-keeping requirements for farm subsidies

Develop a crop insurance product for specialty crop and diversified farms facing extreme weather events

Improve Access to Nutrition:

Increase funding for the Farm to School nutrition program and support initiatives that deliver fresh, local foods to schools nationwide

Cut red tape for SNAP applicants

Improve USDA’s Food for Peace program

View all of Senator Welch’s amendments to the Farm Bill.

The Committee meeting will remain open for continued discussions on the Farm Bill.

Senator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",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 CAP Act to 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. – 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 Luján (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’s (CPSC) authority to impose financial penalties on large corporations that violate consumer protection laws.

“Integrity 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,” said Senator Welch. “Our commonsense bill will hold corporations accountable when they knowingly put products on the market that endanger consumers.”

“Our 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,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“It’s clear existing penalties aren’t enough to deter companies that are harming consumers in violation of the law,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will protect consumers by increasing fines and making sure bad actors are held accountable.”

“Consumers deserve the confidence that the products they bring into their homes are not only effective, but safe,” said Senator Luján. “When 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’m proud to join Senator Welch and my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation to strengthen accountability and protect consumers.”

The 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.

The 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.

The 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).

“Every American, especially our children, deserve products that are safe,” said Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety, Consumer Federation of America. “Unfortunately,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.”

“People are put at risk when companies do not follow product safety laws and see civil penalties as the cost of doing business,” Oriene Shin, Manager for Safety Advocacy, Consumer Reports. “For 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—and protect consumers by improving corporate accountability. Consumer Reports supports this bill and urges all members of Congress to do the same.”

“The nation’s product safety cop on the beat shouldn’t have its hands tied when holding bad actors accountable,” said Daniel Greene, Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety, National Consumers League. “Existing penalty caps only permit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to assess $100,000 penalties per violation, not to exceed $15 million total. That’s a slap on the wrist—merely 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.”

“Lawmakers 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’t increased the cap in nearly two decades. Companies need to face meaningful penalties for putting consumers at risk,” said Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog Director, U.S. PIRG.

Learn more about the CAP Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",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’s 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. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) celebrated the Senate’s 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’ bill is the first piece of legislation related to robocalls to be advanced by the Senate since 2020.

“Vermonters have received 27 million robocalls so far in 2026. And it’s not only our state—folks in red and blue states alike are sick and tired of picking up the phone and wondering if they’re 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,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to work with Senator Budd on this bipartisan legislation and am grateful for the Senate’s support. I urge the House to join us in sending it to the president’s desk.”

“Too 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,” said Senator Budd.

According 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.

Online 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—a 25% increase from 2024. Accounting for under-reporting, total fraud-related losses to U.S. consumers exceed $158 billion per year.

The 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.

Additionally, 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’s 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.

The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act is endorsed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and USTelecom.

“AARP, 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,” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, AARP.

“Illegal robocalls are not just a nuisance—they’re 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’ve 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,” said Josh Bercu, Senior Vice President, Policy at USTelecom – The Broadband Association and Executive Director, The Industry Traceback Group.

Read and download the full text of the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act.

###",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 Host Bipartisan Roundtable on Extreme Weather Response, Supporting 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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.).

“From brutal flooding in Vermont and Alaska to destructive wildfires in Utah, California, and Hawaii, extreme weather is wreaking havoc in communities across America—and it’s only getting worse,” said Senator Welch. “This roundtable made it crystal clear that Washington isn’t 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—in red and blue states alike—can rebuild, recover, and withstand the rising impacts of climate change.”

“Utahns know firsthand the devastating toll that wildfires, drought, and other extreme weather events can have on families, communities, and local economies,” said Senator Curtis. “This 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.”

“Thank 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’re on the front lines for increasingly common events. Flooding, wildfires, landslides, earthquakes, and even remnants of major typhoons have devastated communities across the state,” said Senator Murkowski. “Rural 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.”

“My 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’ve hit a record for the amount of acreage that has been burning,” said Senator Cantwell. “Technology 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’s where the gaps are.”

“Extreme 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 – from flooding at military installations in Hampton Roads, to Southwest Virginia’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, to periodic drought conditions throughout the Commonwealth,” said Senator Kaine. “I 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.”

“In California, we’ve seen firsthand how extreme weather disasters like wildfires and flooding impact communities, and it’s past time we expand disaster mitigation and improve disaster response,” said Senator Padilla. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan push to help communities across the country build resilience and get better access to resources when extreme weather hits.”

“This 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,” said Senator Reed. “Congress 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.”

“For 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 – from rising insurance premiums to the costs of rebuilding communities after major flood events like the one in Western Maryland last year. It’s polluters who should be paying to clean up the mess they made – 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,” said Senator Van Hollen.

View photos from the event below and on the Senator’s website:

The 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’s (NOAA) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Database; and Chief Bob Roper, Senior Wildfire Advisor to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

Senator 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.

In 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.

In 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’s top priorities for Vermont: flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery fund; support for FEMA’s 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.

###",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’s amendments would support farmers and rural communities, reform farm subsidy programs, and improve access to nutrition programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee plans to consider Senate Republicans’ 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’s 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.

“Farms and rural communities across the country are in crisis—we need a bipartisan Farm Bill that meets the moment, but this bill isn’t it. I’ve introduced 42 amendments to Senate Republicans’ partisan Farm Bill—many of which are policies that have historically enjoyed strong bipartisan support,” said Senator Welch. “I hope my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee will work together to improve this Farm Bill and help Vermont farmers, families, and communities.”

Senator Welch’s proposed amendments and changes to Senate Republicans’ Farm Bill include measures to:

Better Support Vermont Farmers:

Halt the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization plan

Cut red tape for small-scale meat producers in rural communities

Improve access to farm loans and credit

Provide free access to the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) for eligible producers

Improve data collection for organic dairy farmers

Expand eligibility and access to conservation programs

Help eliminate barriers for farmers entering the organics market

Strengthen Rural Communities:

Improve rural broadband buildout and speed standards

Lower energy costs for rural communities

Combat the threat of invasive species

Establish national and regional agroforestry centers

Provide multi-year flexible grants to rural communities

Strike the Farm Bill’s E15 language, which is bad for dairy and specialty crop farmers, bad for the environment, and could raise food costs for families.

Reform Farm Subsidy and Crop Insurance Programs:

Ensure taxpayer-provided aid makes it into the hands of actual farmers

Improve record-keeping requirements for farm subsidies

Develop a crop insurance product for specialty crop and diversified farms facing extreme weather events

Improve Access to Nutrition:

Increase funding for the Farm to School nutrition program and support initiatives that deliver fresh, local foods to schools nationwide

Cut red tape for SNAP applicants

Improve USDA’s Food for Peace program

View all of Senator Welch’s amendments to the Farm Bill.

Senator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-warns-democrats-dont-open-back-door-for-republicans-to-cut-social-security/,NEWS: Sanders Warns Democrats: Don’t Open Back Door for Republicans to Cut Social Security,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 — After the Social Security Administration warned that 70 million Americans will have their benefits cut by 2032 unless Congress takes action, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today called on Senate Democrats to strongly oppose the PROMISE Act — legislation allowing congressional Republicans to slash or privatize Social Security through an unelected commission. Sanders instead urged his Democratic colleagues to support his legislation, backed by 78% of the American people, to apply the Social Security payroll tax on all income above $250,000 a year, increase benefits by $2,400 a year and expand Cost-of-Living Adjustments. In 2023, the Social Security Administration estimated that this legislation would make Social Security solvent for 75 years without raising taxes on 91 percent of Americans who make less than $250,000 a year.

“The Democratic Caucus must make it abundantly clear that under no circumstances will we support legislation that cuts Social Security benefits, raises the retirement age, reduces Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs), or privatizes this essential program,” Sanders wrote. “At a time when the wealthiest people in America are becoming much wealthier, asking them to pay the same percentage of their income into Social Security as teachers, nurses, firefighters, and construction workers is not a radical idea. It is common sense. It is what the American people want… Unfortunately, instead of clearly telling the American people how we intend to strengthen Social Security, there are now Members of Congress who are considering legislation that moves us in exactly the wrong direction.”

Seniors in America today face the highest rate of poverty of almost any major country. Over 20% of seniors are trying to survive on an income of less than $15,000 a year and nearly half of older workers have no savings or plan for retirement. Yet despite this retirement crisis, billionaires continue to pay much less proportionally into Social Security than do working-class Americans, and Republicans in Congress are making their intention to undermine the program clear. Last week, Senate Republicans called Social Security a “scam” on the Senate floor.

In his letter, Sanders warns that the PROMISE Act would enable departing members of Congress who have lost the confidence of the American people — especially those from a party that might have lost control of one or both chambers following November’s elections — to determine the future of Social Security for the next 50 years.

“At a time when the very rich are getting richer while working families struggle, it is no great secret that millions of Americans no longer have faith in the political process or either major party. They see the current political system as rigged and corrupt, benefiting the powerful and wealthy campaign contributors. If the Democratic Party is ever to regain the faith of ordinary Americans it must stand firm on the issue of Social Security,” Sanders concluded. “Instead, we will strengthen and expand Social Security by requiring the wealthiest Americans to finally pay the same percentage of their income into Social Security as tens of millions of working people do today. That is how we prevent benefit cuts. That is how we expand Social Security. That is how we extend Social Security’s solvency for generations to come. That is how the Democratic Party begins to regain the trust of the American people.”",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
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. – 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.

“While Vermont has seen a decrease in overdose deaths in recent years, our work to help those struggling with addiction isn’t over—far 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,” said Senator Welch. “We’re 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.”

“West Virginians know firsthand the devastating toll the opioid epidemic has had on our state’s families and communities. We also know that recovery is possible when those struggling have access to the right resources,” said Senator Capito. “The 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.”

U.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.

“Supporting 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’m 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,” said Rep. Miller.

“For 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’m 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,” said Rep. Tonko.

“Opioid addiction doesn’t discriminate by age, income, or political party, and it’s going to take all of us working together to end to this national crisis. I’m 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,” said Rep.Sewell.

“Rural 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,” said Rep. Carter.

The RCORP Authorization Act would:

Formally authorize the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) to ensure its predictability and long-term stability.

Provide access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders in rural communities.

Support local partnerships to strengthen coordinated, community-based care.

Provide grants to rural organizations to address opioid use disorder and other behavioral health challenges.

Authorize funds annually from Fiscal Year 2027 through 2031 to sustain and expand the program.

Read and download the full text of the legislation.

Senator 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.

In 2023, Senator Welch’s bipartisan Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act was signed into law by President Biden.

###",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 Champion FORK Act, Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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.

In Vermont, more than 83,000 people—including more than 19,400 children—face hunger.

“Vermont has the highest percentage of rural students in the nation—that 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,” said Senator Welch. “Our 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.”

“Every child—everywhere—deserves delicious and nutritious meals all year long,” said Senator Merkley. “Communities 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.”

“Thousands of Oregonians are being denied food assistance under Trump’s draconian cuts to SNAP and other federal programs,” said Senator Wyden. “This bill would help restore critical food assistance to kids, helping meet them exactly where they are to end the ongoing hunger crisis in Oregon’s schools.”

The 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.

The 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.

“We know that hunger doesn’t 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—meaning more children would have full bellies throughout the summer to play, learn, and grow,” said Ivy Enoch, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Hunger Free Vermont.

“For 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,” said Ashley Powell, PhD, RD, FAND, SNS, School Nutrition Association President.

“The 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’s sponsors for advancing solutions that help children thrive by keeping them connected to nutritious food when school is out,” said Tamara Randall, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President.

“We 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’s invest in making sure that children in rural areas have opportunities for meals to get to them,” said Eric Mitchell, Alliance to End Hunger President.

“Rural 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,” said Claire Borzner, Director of Federal Government Relations of the No Kid Hungry Campaign at Share Our Strength.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

Senator Welch has been a leading advocate for protecting and expanding access to nutrition programs in the Senate. Earlier this year, Senator Welch’s 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’t 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.

###",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’s 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,"“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.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against advancing Todd Blanche’s 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—and the entire U.S. Senate—for capitulating to President Trump, who has consistently and corruptly abused his authority and the power of the Executive.

“This is a story about how a young and talented and idealistic man—committed to public service, a prosecutor’s prosecutor—became a new person in service of a corrupt president. It’s 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…But 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?” said Senator Welch.

Welch concluded: “The 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.”

Read the Senator’s full remarks as delivered here and watch more below:

In Acting AG Todd Blanche’s 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’s so-called anti-weaponization fund, Trump’s reckless presidential pardons, and Blanche’s firing of career pardon attorneys, and the Trump Administration’s attempts to subpoena members of the press.

In 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’s creation of the nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” emphasizing how President Trump’s 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.

###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-announces-new-va-clinics-to-serve-vermont-veterans/,NEWS: Sanders Announces New VA Clinics to Serve Vermont Veterans,2026-08-01,2026,2026-08,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 1 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that new community-based U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics (CBOCs) will be built in South Burlington, Vermont, and West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, to serve Vermont veterans. These facilities represent real progress in expanding VA healthcare for veterans in our state.

“As the former Chair and a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am very pleased to announce these two new, state-of-the-art clinics for veterans to get their primary healthcare,” Sanders said. “The Burlington clinic — the state’s busiest — will be replaced by a facility that is twice as large, located at the Technology Park in South Burlington. The 36,000-square-foot facility will first see patients in spring 2029. I am also delighted that the new South Burlington clinic will provide desperately needed dental care services, a first for a VA facility in Vermont.

“The Brattleboro clinic will be combined with a clinic in Keene, New Hampshire, to provide improved services for veterans in both states. The clinic will be located at 99 NH-9 in West Chesterfield. The 27,000-square-foot facility will also begin seeing patients in spring 2029,” Sanders continued. “When it became clear the VA would combine the Keene and Brattleboro clinics into one, larger facility, I worked with them to ensure a location was selected that was convenient to veterans in both states. I am pleased they selected a location right near the bridge to Brattleboro to ensure Vermont veterans don’t need to travel far to see their doctor.”

The VA operates community-based outpatient clinics in Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, Newport and Rutland that serve nearly 19,000 Vermont veterans. These clinics provide primary care, specialty treatment and mental health services, and function as satellites of the VA medical center in White River Junction.",1,2026-08-02T07:31:21Z,2026-08-02T07:32:50Z
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 “based solely” on politics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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.

The 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.

“Now 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,” the Senators wrote.

“Once 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,” the Senators continued. “This is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America’s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country—not merely those who support the President.”

“At 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—not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country’s energy security at grave risk,” the Senators concluded. “For 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.”

Alongside 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 Luján (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).

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to DOE Secretary Wright and OMB Director Vought.

###",1,2026-08-01T07:27:26Z,2026-08-01T07:28:22Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-grassley-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-audit-the-pentagon-and-end-wasteful-spending/,"NEWS: Sanders, Grassley Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Audit the Pentagon and End Wasteful Spending",2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"The Pentagon failed its eighth consecutive audit last year, unable to fully account for $4.65 trillion in assets

WASHINGTON, July 30 – Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today reintroduced the Audit the Pentagon Act. This legislation would impose financial consequences if the Pentagon fails to pass a full, independent audit. Any Pentagon component that fails to achieve a clean audit opinion would have 2% of its budget withheld and returned to the Treasury for deficit reduction.

Joining Sanders and Grassley as cosponsors of the Audit the Pentagon Act are Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Despite accounting for more than half of the federal government’s discretionary spending and roughly two-thirds of all federal contracting activity, the Pentagon remains the only one of the federal government’s 24 major agencies to have never passed a clean financial audit — a requirement under federal law since the early 1990s and mandatory on an annual basis since 2018. In its eighth consecutive failed audit, which was released in December 2025 and covered $4.65 trillion in reported assets and $4.7 trillion in liabilities across all 50 states and more than 40 countries, the Pentagon Office of Inspector General identified 26 instances of the most severe auditing errors and two additional significant accounting issues in the department’s internal controls over financial reporting.

“The Pentagon has been plagued by a massive amount of waste, fraud and financial mismanagement for decades,” Sanders said. “Year after year, the Pentagon fails an audit, and year after year, Congress hands it another blank check. At a moment when the administration has dragged us into an unconstitutional war with Iran and is demanding the largest military budget in our history to pay for it, the Pentagon still cannot tell us where trillions of dollars have gone. We have got to end the absurdity of the Pentagon being the only major federal agency that has never passed an independent audit.”

“America has the strongest military in the world and a mission to deliver peace through strength. National security is the number one responsibility of the federal government, and every dollar we spend to keep our country safe should be clearly accounted for. Yet, the Department of Defense has never received a clean audit opinion. Our bipartisan legislation holds the Defense Department accountable by ensuring it meets the same audit standards as other agencies, or it faces a financial penalty. Any dollar lost by the Department of Defense wastes taxpayers’ money and weakens our national security,” Grassley said.

Examples of waste and fraud at the Pentagon include:

Almost $141 billion spent on a Northrop Grumman ballistic missile project that was supposed to cost $77 billion, and which is seven years behind schedule.

More than $126 billion spent on a General Dynamics submarine program which has run $17 billion over cost. The per-sub cost has nearly doubled since 2019.

More than $12 billion spent on one missile battery from Leidos and Dynetics that the Pentagon can’t even confirm works.

More than $6 billion spent over 16 years on a Raytheon project to build a GPS system. The Pentagon cancelled the project in April due to “insurmountable” problems with its product.

Despite this record, Congress continues to expand the Pentagon’s budget every year. The Trump administration’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request seeks approximately $1.15 trillion — the latest in a decades-long trend of rising Pentagon budgets that have never been matched by basic financial accountability. The Audit the Pentagon Act would finally hold the Pentagon accountable.

Read the fact sheet here.",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
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. — 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.

“There’s 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,” said Senator Welch.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t be punished for someone else’s 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—on bad actors, not hardworking families,” said Senator Marshall. “I was proud to lead these bipartisan efforts with Senator Welch, and I’m glad to see both bills included in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act.”

The 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.

The 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.

###",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 on Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Protect Seniors’ Access to Health Care",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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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’s physician payment system to create more stability and predictability for patients and doctors.

According 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’ ability to care for Medicare patients.

“So many Vermonters rely on Medicare for their health care coverage—it’s critical that their health care providers are fairly compensated,” said Senator Welch. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill updates an outdated, decades-old policy that triggers harmful cuts to provider payments. We’re 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.”

“Providers 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,” said Senator Boozman.

“Accessible, reliable health care is essential for seniors across Maine, particularly in our rural communities where providers are already stretched thin,” said Senator King. “The 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’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this commonsense bipartisan legislation to strengthen access to quality care for older Americans.”

“For 25 years, I cared for patients in western Kansas. Like many, I didn’t go into medicine to worry about Washington’s payment formulas – I went into medicine to take care of people,” said Senator Marshall. “When doctors can’t 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.”

“It’s 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,” said Senator Shaheen. “This bipartisan bill would make sure physicians are fairly compensated and guarantee adequate reimbursement for providers, which would help strengthen Medicare’s dependability for patients now and into the future.”

“More than two million Medicare beneficiaries in North Carolina depend on timely access to quality care,” said Senator Tillis. “Year 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.”

The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act would:

Increase the budget neutrality threshold from $20 million to $57.64 million and index it to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) every five years:

Revise erroneous reimbursement cuts based on utilization rates derived from claims data instead of relying on estimates;

Require the Secretary to update all practice expenses at the same time, every five years; Limit year-to-year positive or negative variances in reimbursements.

The 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 – 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.

View a section-by-section summary of the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act.

Read and download the full text of the legislation.

###",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 $300 Million in New Federal Funding for Vermont’s GlobalFoundries to Help Make AI More 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. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) celebrated the announcement of $300 million in new federal funding for Vermont’s GlobalFoundries. This federal investment, funded through the Biden Administration’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and administered by the Department of Commerce, will support GlobalFoundries’ 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.

“GlobalFoundries is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and I’m glad Vermont will benefit from this $300 million federal investment to help power America’s AI boom in a more energy-efficient way, reducing its impact on ratepayers and the environment,” said Senator Welch. “This funding will help create jobs and support American innovation. I will continue to support collaborative workforce development opportunities that help boost our state’s research and manufacturing economy.”

Senator Welch helped pass the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022 as a Member of the House of Representatives.

Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",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’ tariff authorities

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.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.

As written, the legislation grants President Trump new authorities to impose massive tariffs on countries that ‘facilitate’ 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.

Senator Welch announced his intent to file an amendment on the Senate Floor Tuesday evening:

“…Our language must specify our intent and do so with absolute clarity: Go after the buyers. That was Senator Graham’s 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 ‘facilitators’ 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—so long as the Executive labels the tariff country a ‘facilitator.’

“If we delete the facilitator provision, as I propose, we do achieve senator Graham’s 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…Senator Graham, and many of us, myself included—agreed 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.”

View and download Senator Welch’s amendment here.

###",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 STRONG GRID Act to Boost America’s 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. – 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’s electric grid resiliency and help prevent power disruptions caused by natural disasters. The STRONG GRID Act aims to spur the adoption of microgrids—localized electric grids that operate independently of the broader energy grid—to reduce strain on America’s electric grid and bolster our energy system from widespread damage created by extreme weather events.

“America’s electric grid is under more pressure now than at any point in our history, and extreme weather events are exacerbating that strain, as we’ve 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’s a win-win,” said Senator Welch. “Our bill capitalizes on the potential of microgrids to help keep essential services online and reduce the economic impact of natural disasters.”

Extreme 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 “billion-dollar disasters” 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—including 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.

At the same time, America’s 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’s electric grid and boost resiliency during extreme weather events.

The 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).

“As 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,” said Karen Wayland, CEO, GridWise Alliance. “The 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.”

“Rising electricity demand makes microgrids essential to building a more resilient and reliable electric grid. Senator Welch’s STRONG GRID Act would help deploy the practical solutions needed to modernize America’s energy infrastructure, and ITI is pleased to support this legislation,” said Jason Oxman, President and CEO, ITI.

“The 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,” said Wes Smith, President and CEO, National Association of Electrical Distributors.

President of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) David Terry congratulated Senator Welch on the introduction of the STRONG GRID Act of 2026: “The 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.”

“America’s 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 ‘all-of-the-above’ 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’s electric infrastructure by accelerating the deployment and evaluation of microgrids. Expanding microgrid deployment will significantly improve grid flexibility and help meet growing electricity demand.”

Learn more about the STRONG GRID Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",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 New York Times Journalists 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. — 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’s new Air Force One.

The 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.

“The Department’s lack of transparency and aggressive action toward journalists – in this circumstance, seemingly directed by President Trump after he was upset by negative reporting – both follow this administration’s clear pattern of pressuring news organizations, including several attempts by DOJ to subpoena or intimidate journalists,” the Senators wrote in their letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The 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.

“Section 9-13.400 explicitly dictates that requested information must be ‘essential’ to an investigation or prosecution, and that subpoenas ‘should not be used to obtain peripheral, nonessential, or speculative information.’ Yet DOJ demanded records dating back to January 1, 2026,” the Senators wrote, pointing to the overly broad scope of the subpoenas.

The 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.

Senators 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.).

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to Acting AG Blanche.

In his nomination hearing earlier this month, Senator Welch grilled Blanche about whether he supported Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel’s decision to issue subpoenas to New York Times reporters and his demands that journalists disclose confidential sources. In response to Senator Welch’s question, Blanche admitted to authorizing the subpoenas.

###",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 20 Colleagues 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. — 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’s proposed reorganization plan of USDA-RD moves forward.

“Rural 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,” the Senators wrote. “In 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.”

The Senators continued: “Rural Development’s 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.”

The Senators requested answers to the following questions about the planned reorganization by August 5, 2026:

What analysis did the Department conduct to determine the impacts of staffing cuts on delivering Rural Development services?

Please provide a current breakdown of staffing levels and projection of staffing for the next two years by sub-mission area.

Given 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?

If 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?

How does the USDA plan to successfully recruit the next generation of Rural Development employees?

While we appreciate the willingness to modernize Rural Development’s 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?

Joining 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 Luján (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Vaden.

###",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. — 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.

“Rural Vermont is paying for President Trump’s war with Iran—from 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—they can’t afford any more of the Trump Administration’s reckless agenda,” said Senator Welch.

Democrats 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:

A $1.4 billion increase in diesel costs – a 63% jump – this spring nationwide for farmers to plant key crops: corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice

The average farmer spent as much as $1,500 more to refill their farm’s onsite fuel tank compared to the same high point during the 2025 planting season

View more from the Joint Economic Committee here and below:

The 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’t be able to buy the fertilizer needed for the spring planting season.

###",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 Warn that Trump’s Threats to Bomb Civilian Infrastructure in Iran Could 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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’s 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’ commitment to ensuring forces under CENTCOM’s command abide by the domestic and international laws of war.

“As 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,” wrote the Senators. “The 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.”

The Senators highlighted that in determining that Russia had committed war crimes in Ukraine, the U.S. State Department specifically cited Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure: “General 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 ‘anytime you attack a civilian population, you usually end up finding that it just hardens their resolve.’”

The Senators concluded: “The U.S. military has a reputation—earned through the hard work and sacrifices of brave men and women who serve our nation— 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.”

The Senators requested answers to the following questions by July 30, 2026:

Are 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?

Are 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?

Will 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?

Will you order an investigation of any significant civilian casualty events resulting from U.S. military actions in Iran?

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to U.S. Admiral Cooper.

###",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 Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Energy Grid, Accelerate Clean Energy Growth",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. – 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.

“Strengthening America’s 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’re working to bolster our grid against extreme weather and help ensure every home across America has access to affordable and reliable electricity,” said Senator Welch.

“America’s 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,” said Rep. Castor. “The 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.”

Learn more about the Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",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 Bill 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’s bicameral bill comes as defaults on student loans have surged to unprecedented levels in the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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.

This 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.

“As the cost of college has gone up, the necessity of borrowing—by students, by their parents, both publicly available loans and private loans—has escalated. In Vermont, the average federal student loan debt graduating from college is $38,000. That’s only adding to the affordability crisis that our next generation of Americans face,” said Senator Welch. “Our generation owes the younger generation an opportunity to make the best of themselves, and they can’t do it with this mountain of debt. I’m proud to work with my friend, Representative Joe Courtney, on this commonsense legislation.”

“Student 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,” said Rep. Courtney. “It’s 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’t wait to take up and pass our bill.”

“Every 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’re 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,” said Tiffany Dena Loftin, Executive Director of the U.S. Student Association. “The federal government should not profit from students trying to get an education. So, on behalf of the United States Student Association, we’re 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.”

Watch a livestream of the press conference below:

The 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.

Unlike 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.

The Student Loan Interest Elimination Act is endorsed by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, EdTrust, and the Hildreth Institute.

Learn more about the Student Loan Interest Elimination Act of 2026.

###",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 Presses Acting AG Blanche For Documents Detailing Ethical Concerns Regarding his Tenure as Trump’s 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. — 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.

The letter comes after Senator Welch grilled Blanche, President Trump’s pick to serve as Attorney General, in his nomination hearing about his role in negotiating a settlement between President Trump—his former legal client—and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on behalf of American taxpayers. That settlement also established a so-called “anti-weaponization” slush fund for the president and his Administration.

Between 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—Save America PAC—paid Acting AG Blanche’s firm over $9 million for the legal representation he provided the president in those cases.

In 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: “You 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—the Department’s then-top ethics official—conducted 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 ‘very technical rules around the ethics requirements[.]’”

Senator Welch continued: “The 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 ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ and waived all past tax liabilities for the President, his family, and businesses. It is important to understand whether you were directly advised—as public reporting suggests—to recuse yourself from matters involving the President in his personal capacity prior to approving the creation of this fund and waiving the President’s civil and criminal tax liabilities.”

Senator Welch concluded by requesting materials from Acting AG Blanche no later than July 29, 2026, given the Senate’s active consideration of Mr. Blanche’s nomination to serve as AG permanently: “I 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.”

Read and download the Senator’s full letter to Acting AG Blanche.

Senator Welch has called on Acting AG Blanche to resign and expressed strong opposition to Acting AG Blanche’s nomination to serve in the role permanently.

In 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’s creation of the nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” emphasizing how President Trump’s 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.

Last 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’s 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’ 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—including a letter from then-Interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to Attorney General Bondi—suggesting he was aware of the decision.

The Senator subsequently led every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat in calling on Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate the truthfulness of Mr. Blanche’s testimony at his confirmation hearing.

###",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 Lead Fight 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’s seed industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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.

If signed into law, the lawmakers’ legislation would allow farmers to save seeds between seasons, which will lower farmers’ 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.

“Rapid consolidation in the seed industry has had a direct and brutal impact on farms in Vermont and across the country. Big corporations’ abuse of the patent system is making farmers pay more to plant, and the end result is families paying more at the grocery store,” said Senator Welch. “We’re taking on corporate power in the seed industry to keep family farms in business and lower costs for hardworking Americans.”

“For decades, Big Ag has ripped off farmers and jacked up food prices for families,” said Senator Warren. “My bill will break these companies’ stranglehold on seeds to lower grocery bills for Americans and give our farmers more freedom over their crops.”

“When 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—and the costs ultimately show up in the prices families pay at the grocery store,” said Senator Booker. “This 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.”

“Food 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,” said Rep. McGovern. “We have a system right now in this country where corporate giants are pocketing massive profits—ripping off farmers and in turn ripping off families buying food at the grocery store. It’s wrong, and our bill is about starting to change the broken status quo by rebuilding America’s food system from the ground up.”

“Every working American knows that groceries are just too expensive,” said Rep. Casar. “By abusing seed patents, big ag companies are putting family farms out of business and driving up the price of food for everyone else. I’m proud to be working with Rep. McGovern on this new bill, which is a key part of the Progressive Caucus’ New Affordability Agenda.”

Just 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.

Although Congress enacted the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) and the Plant Patent Act (PPA) to balance the IP rights of seed companies with farmers’ and the public’s 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.

Giant 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.

The 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’ 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.

The 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 – Massachusetts, Open Markets Institute, and the Organic Seed Alliance, and RAFI-USA.

“Seeds are a foundational building block of our food system—and 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,” said Aaron Johnson, Policy Co-Director, Rural Advancement Foundation International.

“The hyper-consolidation and commodification of seeds has eroded farmers’ 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 – 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,” said Nick Rossi, Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Learn more about the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act.

Read and download the full text of the legislation.

###",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-new-gao-report-finds-taxpayers-continue-to-subsidize-poverty-wages-at-walmart-amazon-other-large-corporations-as-corporate-welfare-spikes-since-2020/,"NEWS: New GAO Report Finds Taxpayers Continue to Subsidize Poverty Wages at Walmart, Amazon, Other Large Corporations as Corporate Welfare Spikes Since 2020",2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, July 22 – According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, some of the largest and most profitable American corporations and their wealthy CEOs continue to pay their employees wages so low that those workers are forced to rely on Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — subsidized by U.S taxpayers — to survive.

Commissioned by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and released today by the GAO, this report analyzes data from 11 states comprising nearly a fifth of the U.S. population, builds on the findings of a 2020 GAO report, and details how the number of workers relying on Medicaid and SNAP has grown significantly over the past six years. Across 11 states, the report found that an estimated 13.8 million working Americans were forced to enroll in Medicaid and 10.6 million depended on SNAP to make ends meet and feed their families, despite working full-time — up from 12 million and 9 million, respectively, in the 2020 report.

“American taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the starvation wages of large corporations like Walmart and Amazon. These corporations are making record-breaking profits, paying their CEOs exorbitant compensation packages and spending billions of dollars on stock buybacks to enrich their wealthy shareholders. It is beyond unacceptable that these corporations, owned by some of the wealthiest people on the planet, are receiving corporate welfare from the federal government,” Sanders said. “It is time for the Walton family, worth $485 billion, and Mr. Bezos, worth $257 billion, to get off of welfare and pay their workers a living wage with good benefits. No one who works for a company making billions in profits should be living in poverty. This is especially true after these corporations and their multibillionaire owners received a massive tax break from President Trump’s so-called ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ paid for by the largest cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in history.”

GAO’s report found that Walmart, Amazon and other large, profitable corporations have particularly egregious records of forcing workers to utilize Medicaid and SNAP:

Despite increasing its annual profits from $14.88 billion to $21.89 billion during this period, Walmart employed 16,055 workers who had to rely on Medicaid in the states GAO sampled — a 55% increase from the previous report. Walmart also employed 15,515 workers who needed SNAP assistance in the states GAO sampled. Overall, Walmart again ranked among the top employers of workers on these programs in every one of the 11 states.

Despite increasing its annual profits from $11.59 billion to $77.67 billion, Amazon employed 12,346 workers who needed SNAP assistance and 11,338 workers who had to rely on Medicaid in the states GAO sampled — nearly triple the number of Amazon workers who needed federal assistance compared to the previous report.

FedEx, which made $4.33 billion in profit, saw its workers on Medicaid more than triple (from 1,046 to 3,814) and its SNAP workers nearly double (from 2,622 to 4,944) since the first report, in the states GAO sampled.

The GAO also found that rideshare and delivery companies now rank among the very top employers of program recipients in several states — along with McDonald’s, Dollar General, Dollar Tree and FedEx.

In February, Sanders requested that four major corporations that employ large numbers of people who rely on Medicaid and SNAP – Walmart, Kroger, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree – answer how much they expect to make from the Republicans’ tax breaks and whether any of these savings will be passed along to their workers.

Across nine states (Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Washington), these corporations and sectors employed the following numbers of SNAP recipients in the GAO report:

Rideshare/Delivery apps – 22,709

Walmart – 15,515

Amazon – 12,346

McDonald’s – 6,709

Dollar General – 5,187

FedEx – 4,944

Dollar Tree – 4,229

Kroger – 3,302

Burger King – 2,186

Family Dollar – 1,933

Walgreens – 1,747

Target – 1,695

Home Depot – 1,633

Taco Bell – 1,569

Across six states (Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Rhode Island), these corporations and sectors employed the following numbers of Medicaid enrollees in the GAO report:

Walmart – 16,055

Amazon – 11,338

Rideshare/Delivery apps – 6,120

Dollar General – 5,601

McDonald’s – 4,710

FedEx – 3,814

Dollar Tree – 3,265

Kroger – 2,818

Target – 2,326

Home Depot – 1,985

Family Dollar – 1,845

Stop & Shop – 1,691

Walgreens – 1,300

CVS – 1,209",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-bill-to-require-warning-labels-on-ultraprocessed-foods-ban-junk-food-ads-for-kids-advances-in-committee/,NEWS: Sanders Bill to Require Warning Labels on Ultraprocessed Foods & Ban Junk Food Ads for Kids Advances in Committee,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, July 22 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today applauded the committee voting 12-10 in a bipartisan manner to advance his legislation to take on the greed of the food and beverage industry and address the growing diabetes and obesity epidemics negatively impacting millions of American children and families across the country.

This first-of-its-kind federal ban on junk food advertising targeted to children in the United States would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement strong health and nutrient warning labeling, direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the dangers posed by ultra-processed foods, and develop a national education campaign for children and caregivers through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“I am delighted that the HELP Committee passed the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act that I introduced. For decades, the food and beverage industry has made massive profits by enticing children to consume unhealthy products purposely designed to be overeaten — fueling the twin crises of type 2 diabetes and obesity in America. We cannot continue to allow these greedy corporations to put their own profits over the health and well-being of our kids,” Sanders said.“Nearly 30 years ago, Congress had the courage to take on the tobacco industry, whose products killed more than 400,000 Americans every year. Today, on a bipartisan basis, the Senate HELP Committee finally stood up to the greed of the food and beverage industry.”",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
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 Questions Trade Rep on Tariffs and Trade War Chaos: “People just don’t know what to count on. It’s hurting us badly.”,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. — 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’s reckless trade war and tariff policies, which have arbitrarily hurt Vermont small businesses, farmers, and families.

In the hearing, Senator Welch pushed Ambassador Greer for answers about President Trump’s new 50% tariff levied on many products from Canada—Vermont’s closest partner in trade. Senator Welch also shared stories of how the president’s 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.

“We’re just getting hit with these tariffs, and it looks like—to some extent—if 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…Just going through that has been really tough for us,” said Senator Welch. “I 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—just recently, just two days ago, the president announced new tariffs may go into effect—people just don’t know what to count on. It’s hurting us badly.”

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks from the hearing below:

Senator 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’ constitutional role in trade policy.

Senator Welch voted against Amb. Greer’s nomination to serve as U.S. Trade Representative. During Greer’s nomination hearing in February 2025, Senator Welch pressed him for answers about the impact of Trump’s trade war on American businesses and consumers, and outlined the cost of Trump’s new proposed tariffs for Vermont industries, farmers, and families. Senator Welch has continued to demand answers from Greer on how Trump’s economic policies have created global economic chaos and harmed Americans, including leading 18 colleagues in pressing for information on how the Trump Administration’s tariffs will harm farmers across the nation.

Earlier 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.

###",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’s 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. — 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’s reckless economic policies.

Democrats 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’s tariffs, and the war in Iran have raised the cost of housing, energy, groceries, and health care.

“Working families in Vermont can’t afford President Trump’s economic policies—they’re 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,” said Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. “I hope this new data is the wake-up call my colleagues across the aisle need: it’s time we work together to bring prices down and make Washington work for everyday people—not the other way around.”

In 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’s premium tax credits. Nearly 5,000 in Vermont lost food assistance since the enactment of President Trump’s tax bill.

View the data from the Joint Economic Committee.

Earlier this month, Senator Welch shared data from the JEC outlining how President Trump’s reckless and illegal war with Iran has driven up gasoline costs for Vermont families, farmers, and businesses.

Senator 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.

###",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’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Next Generation of American Aviation Advances 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. — 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’s advancement of their bipartisan bill, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act. The Senators’ legislation would improve the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) type certification process for American Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft companies to help them succeed and cement the United States’ role as a global leader in aviation.

An 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.

“Building on generations of leadership in aviation, American companies are spearheading electric aircraft innovation. That includes companies like Vermont’s 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,” said Senator Welch. “I’m 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.”

“By 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,” said Senator Budd.

Joining Senators Welch and Budd as cosponsors of this legislation are Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (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.).

“The Committee passage today brings us one step closer to modernizing the FAA certification process for the next generation of aviation,” said Senator Curtis. “This 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’m pleased to see it advance and look forward to its passage by the full Senate.”

“New Mexico is a strong leader in aviation technology, and this legislation will help ensure our state continues to shape the next generation of innovation,” said Senator Luján. “This bill will streamline and update the FAA certification processes, accelerate innovation, support new technologies, and strengthen U.S. global leadership in aviation. I’m proud to see this legislation advance and help keep the United States at the forefront of global aviation.”

“Streamlining the FAA’s type certification processes for advanced aviation technologies, such as advanced air mobility, is critical to bolstering America’s global leadership in aviation innovation,” said Senator Moran. “I appreciate the bipartisan support from my colleagues for this legislation, and I’m 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.”

“California companies are leading the world in developing the next generation of electric aircraft. I’m 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,” said Senator Padilla.

“As 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’m proud to see it advance out of the Commerce committee,” said Senator Sheehy.

“Advanced 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’s advancement of this bipartisan legislation marks an important step forward, and I look forward to seeing it pass the full Senate,” said Senator Young.

Advanced 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’ continued leadership in AAM technology development will boost economic growth in American communities across the country.

Since 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.

Senators Welch and Budd published a bipartisan opinion piece in Newsweek in September 2025 entitled: “Congress Should Help Air Innovation Take Flight.” In their op-ed, they urged Congress to build on America’s 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’ manufacturing facility in South Burlington, Vermont.

Specifically, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act:

Establishes non-binding, standard expected timelines for the FAA’s 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.

Sets 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.

Provides the FAA Administration with the sole discretion to exclude safety-critical matters from established timelines to ensure airspace safety is paramount.

Directs the FAA to define when an issue paper is required in the certification process, while providing flexibility for the Agency on complex, safety issues.

Directs the FAA to account for performance-based rules in the certification process.

Directs the FAA to brief the relevant congressional committees on the status of implementing the certification regulations and managing workload.

Clarifies when the FAA can delegate routine compliance findings to qualified personnel, allowing Agency experts to focus on complex, safety-critical issues.

Updates delegation guidance for type certification to cover new and novel technologies related to AAM, including eVTOL aircraft.

The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act is endorsed by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); Airports Council International – 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.

U.S. Representative Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee; Rep. André 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.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=780,"Balint, Warren, Banks, and Cline File Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Directing the FTC to Investigate Corporate Roll-ups of Firetruck Manufacturers",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Resolution (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (D-Vt.) and Ben Cline (R-Va.), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.), filed a bipartisan, bicameral resolution directing the FTC to investigate serial acquisitions of firetruck manufacturers.

Following two decades of consolidation by private equity firms and larger manufacturers, a vast majority of the fire truck manufacturing industry is now controlled by just three companies. Since then:

Prices have skyrocketed. Fire truck prices have doubled over the last decade, far outpacing inflation for heavy-duty truck manufacturing over that time period. Manufacturers have also exploited their market power to implement “floating” prices, increasing the final price of a fire truck after it goes into production.

Manufacturing plants have shuttered. Dominant fire truck manufacturers have restricted supply by closing their own manufacturing facilities, even though demand for fire trucks has increased in recent years.

Delivery backlogs are growing. Since 2019, the lead times for fire truck delivery have nearly tripled, and fire departments are now facing delivery delays of up to five years.

Working conditions are unsafe. Higher prices and longer delivery times for fire trucks have prevented fire departments from replacing aging trucks, depriving fire fighters of the essential equipment required to work safely and effectively.

Rampant consolidation in the fire truck manufacturing industry is undermining public safety, squeezing fire departments’ budgets, and forcing taxpayers to bear the consequences.

TheFederal Trade Commission Act authorizes Congress, through a joint resolution passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and report the facts relating to any alleged violations of antitrust law. However, Congress has not used this authority to order an FTC investigation since the Great Depression era.

This bipartisan joint resolution would revive that authority and direct the FTC to report to Congress within one year on:

The extent of anticompetitive practices and violations of antitrust law in the fire truck manufacturing industry, including price fixing, price gouging, serial acquisitions, and monopolization;

The monetary and other harms of anticompetitive practices and violations of antitrust law in the fire truck manufacturing industry on fire fighters, fire departments, states, municipalities, and small businesses; and

Recommendations for legislation or other remedial actions.

“Every community deserves to have the fire trucks it needs to keep people safe. But corporate consolidation has driven up prices considerably and left communities waiting years for this essential, lifesaving equipment,” said Representative Balint. “This is yet another example of why we need strong antitrust enforcement: a handful of powerful companies shouldn't be able to use their power to get richer by making it harder for communities to protect themselves.”

“When giant corporations and Wall Street investors buy up all the fire truck manufacturers, it’s a threat to public safety,” said Senator Warren. “There’s a growing, bipartisan consensus that Congress must stop a handful of corporations from dominating fire truck manufacturing and making it harder and tremendously more expensive to get fire trucks.”

“Anticompetitive practices are strong-arming our cities, wasting taxpayer dollars, and leaving firefighters without life-saving equipment. I’m proud to join this bipartisan investigation as we fight to put hardworking Indiana taxpayers first,” said Senator Banks.

“Too often, growing delivery backlogs in the fire truck manufacturing industry are leaving fire departments across the Commonwealth and our Nation without the necessary equipment first responders need to do their jobs safely and effectively. This bipartisan resolution takes an important first step to restore competition, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and ensure taxpayers and local fire departments receive fair value,” said Representative Cline.

This follows a bipartisan investigation led by Senators Warren and Banks into the harms of private equity roll-ups of fire truck manufacturers that they launched in April 2025.

Senator Warren also sounded the alarm on private equity’s consolidation of the fire truck manufacturing industry at a September 2025 hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) have endorsed the resolution.",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=781,"Reps. Balint, Velázquez Introduce Online Sellers Bill of Rights to Protect Small Businesses from Corporate Gatekeepers",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Ending Corporate Greed Task Force, and Nydia Velázquez (NY-7), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business, today introduced the Online Sellers Bill of Rights, legislation to protect independent online sellers from arbitrary and opaque actions by dominant online marketplaces, like Amazon and Walmart.

Millions of Americans rely on platforms like Amazon and Walmart to reach customers, but those same platforms can suspend sellers, freeze inventory, withhold earnings, or bury products in search results with little warning, explanation, or opportunity to appeal. The Online Sellers Bill of Rights establishes basic due process and transparency requirements to help level the playing field between independent businesses and the dominant corporations that control online commerce.

""No corporation should have the power to destroy someone's livelihood with the click of a button,"" said Rep. Balint. ""Right now, a handful of massive online retailers can suspend sellers, freeze their inventory, and cut off their income with little explanation and virtually no accountability. I'm proud to partner with Ranking Member Velázquez to introduce the Online Sellers Bill of Rights to give small businesses in Vermont and across the country the transparency, due process, and fair chance to compete that they deserve.""

“For too long, small businesses have suffered as large e-commerce platforms block or limit their products with little to no explanation,” said Rep. Velázquez. “Years of work to establish a small business should not be lost because of arbitrary algorithm changes or unfounded product investigations while online platforms like Amazon face no consequences.”

“The Online Sellers Bill of Rights works to stop these injustices by demanding greater transparency and giving merchants a meaningful opportunity to address potential issues, rather than leaving them blindsided,” Rep. Velázquez continued. “As Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee, I have consistently fought for small businesses across the nation to have a fair and equal footing. This piece of legislation is the latest step in that ongoing effort, ensuring that even the smallest vendors have a real chance of making their businesses succeed.”

About 255 million Americans shop on Amazon annually, and roughly 40 percent of all online transactions occur through its marketplace. Meanwhile, more than 50 percent of the e-commerce market is dominated by just four companies, giving dominant platforms enormous power over the small businesses that depend on them to reach customers.

For many sellers operating on razor-thin margins, an erroneous suspension can be financially devastating. Businesses have been removed from online marketplaces after platforms like Amazon incorrectly determined they violated its constantly changing seller policies. Instead of receiving timely explanations or meaningful reviews, many sellers are met with automated, generic and vague responses while losing sales, paying storage fees on inaccessible inventory, and struggling to keep their businesses afloat.

To address these issues, the Online Sellers Bill of Rights would:

Give sellers adequate notice of any policy changes that affect a seller’s business.

Require that platforms demonstrate proof of a violation of a rule or law before suspending or deactivating a third-party seller.

Provide prompt notice to sellers about inventory or funds due to suspicion of unlawful conduct and release that inventory or those funds after 30 days if no proof of illegal conduct is found.

Require platforms return seller's inventory within a reasonable timeframe if there is no proof of violation.

Provide sellers with actionable information and transparency regarding any investigation that risks account deactivation or listing suspension.

The Online Sellers Bill of Rights is cosponsored by Reps. André Carson (IN-7), Valerie Foushee (NC-4), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-4), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12).

The Online Sellers Bill of Rights is endorsed by the Responsible Online Commerce Coalition (ROCC), Open Markets Institute, Tech Oversight Project, Main Street Alliance, Public Citizen, American Economic Liberties Project (AELP), Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR), and Small Business Majority.

“Independent, third-party sellers are the backbone of a vibrant and competitive online marketplace,” said Joe Van Wye, Policy Director for the Responsible Online Commerce Coalition. ""However, just a handful of dominant platforms abuse their market power to set up and then manipulate a system of vague, unpredictable, and ever-changing rules in ways that undermine these hardworking businesses’ ability to survive and grow, stifling innovation and entrepreneurship in this critical sector. We commend Reps. Balint and Velázquez for their leadership on this issue, and hope this commonsense legislation is quickly enacted.”

""For too long, Amazon has acted as judge, jury, and executioner for the hundreds of thousands of independent businesses that rely on its marketplace to survive,” Barry Lynn, Executive Director of the Open Markets Institute. “A single unexplained algorithm change or frozen payment can wipe out years of hard work. The Online Sellers Bill of Rights establishes a simple and fair proposition: if Amazon and other dominant online marketplaces have become essential infrastructure for commerce, they cannot operate by arbitrary decree. This legislation is about restoring the rule of law to online commerce and ensuring that America's entrepreneurs answer to customers—not unchecked gatekeepers.""

“For too long, dominant online marketplaces have abused and exploited the small, independent businesses that depend on them,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “When a platform can suspend a seller, freeze their inventory, or cut off their income overnight without explanation or meaningful recourse, that’s not a free market; that’s unchecked gatekeeper power. This bill restores basic fairness and ensures independent businesses get a real chance to compete.”

“Consumers and independent sellers both understand that platforms must police counterfeit products and other kinds of misconduct,” said John Bergmayer, Legal Director at Public Knowledge. “However, these platforms should not be able to deprive sellers of their livelihoods and access to their funds through unexplained, opaque decisions. By requiring greater transparency, a fair process, and meaningful opportunities to challenge platform decisions, the Online Sellers’ Bill of Rights Act promotes confidence in online commerce for buyers and sellers alike.”

“Right now, Amazon can destroy a small business overnight – no warning, no explanation, no straight answers,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project. “That's what monopoly power looks like. Sellers are locked in, and Amazon knows it – so it suspends businesses without proof, freezes their money, and even collects fees on inventory they can't touch. Rep. Balint’s Online Sellers Bill of Rights levels the playing field with common sense rules: prove violations, release funds, and give sellers straight answers about their own business. When small businesses can compete, our economy is stronger and consumers win.”

""Small businesses increasingly rely on large online platforms to sell their products, making small firms especially vulnerable when those platforms engage in harmful practices that disrupt small business sales,” said Alexis D'Amato Falvey, Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs at Small Business Majority. “Legislation that would require large online platforms to be more transparent about their policies and ensure they are equipping sellers with timely information regarding changes to a platform's policies would go a long way toward minimizing disruption for small businesses that depend on certain online retailers for the bulk of their sales.""

""The Online Sellers Bill of Rights is a critical step toward ensuring that small businesses can compete fairly in today's digital economy,” Lauren Bealore, National Director of Policy & Programs at Main Street Alliance. “Too often, entrepreneurs who rely on online marketplaces face sudden freezes of their funds or inventory with little transparency or recourse, putting their livelihoods at risk. This legislation would provide much-needed protections and accountability, helping Main Street businesses grow, create jobs, and serve their communities with greater confidence.""

A one pager on the bill can be found here. A section-by-section summary can be found here. The full bill text can be found here.

###",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z
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’ bicameral bill would eliminate interest rates on all federal student loans and cap future interest rates

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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’ legislation would make higher education more affordable by immediately eliminating interest rates for the nearly 43 million Americans with existing federally held student loans.

Higher education costs continue to skyrocket, with tuition rising 40 times higher than 1960s levels for public colleges—a 312.4% increase when adjusted for inflation. As a result, average college debt has more than doubled since 2007, forcing nearly 43 million Americans—1 in 6 American adults—to 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.

The 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’ 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.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.);

U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02);

Additional Members of Congress TBA

Student loan borrower advocates TBA

WHEN: Wednesday, July 22nd at 12:00 PM EDT

WHERE: House Triangle, Capitol Hill

WATCH: Livestream of the press conference will be available here.

RSVP: Media are asked to RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov and Ryan.Tomsheck@mail.house.gov.

###",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=779,"Rep. Balint Cosponsors Legislation to Break Up Meatpacking Monopolies, Drive Down Grocery Costs",2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), founding member of the Monopoly Busters Caucus and member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, cosponsored legislation introduced by Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Pat Ryan (NY-18), co-chairs of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, to break up dominant meatpacking monopolies, rein in foreign-controlled corporate giants, and end unfair pricing practices that raise costs for American families and box out local farmers and ranchers. The legislation, the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act, is bicameral, introduced in the Senate by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

“Families are paying more at the grocery store while giant corporations rake in record profits and squeeze the farmers and ranchers who feed our country,” said Rep. Balint. ""A handful of meatpacking giants shouldn’t be able to control our food supply and drive up costs for working people. We need to break up these monopolies, restore competition, and build a food system that works for our families and our independent farmers.”

“Massive corporations are driving up prices, making it unaffordable for working people to put food on the table,” said Rep. Jayapal. “It is a failure of our government to have allowed these corporate interests to swallow up the market, raising costs and putting hundreds of thousands of family farms out of business in the process. This bill is a critical step to level the playing field — to give independent ranchers and farmers a fair shot while ultimately lowering grocery bills for American families.”

“Meatpacking monopolies are crushing hard-working small farmers, ranchers, and business owners—and are jacking up food prices for all of us,” said Congressman Deluzio. “In the richest country in the history of the world that likes our meat, we can’t let it become a luxury good. Let’s pass this bill to break up these monopolies and bring some relief to everyone they’re squeezing at the grocery store right now.”

“Every time we walk into the grocery store, Hudson Valley families are getting squeezed by high prices because a few greedy corporations are raking in record-breaking profits. That’s unacceptable. Instead of taking on the monopolies driving up costs, like the four meatpacking companies that dominate the market, our fundamentally broken system rewards their greed while punishing our family-run grocers, farms, and restaurants,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “As the President’s wars and tariffs hurt our small businesses, we should be focused on lowering costs, strengthening our supply chains, and putting working families ahead of corporate special interests. This bill would break up the monopolies jacking up costs and give our local grocers and farms some extra support. I'll keep fighting to crack down on price gouging, take on greedy monopolies, and make sure every family can afford to put food on the table.”

“Trump keeps driving prices higher and higher. The American people are rightfully fed up,” said Leader Schumer. “Every visit to the grocery store has turned into relentless sticker shock for working families. It’s a consequence of Trump’s failed economic policies and the stranglehold the meatpacking monopoly holds over supply chains and grocery stores. Democrats in the Senate and House are united in bringing down costs for consumers, and I’m proud to champion the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act to tackle the skyrocketing food costs and deliver the relief working families demand and deserve.

Consolidation in the meatpacking industry is rampant. For instance, 85 percent of the U.S. beef market is controlled by just four companies: Cargill, JBS, Tyson, and the National Beef Packing Company. This corporate consolidation allows these giants to unfairly extract value and take home maximum profits at the expense of farmers and consumers.

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act imposes structural reforms to restore competition to the industry. Specifically, it:

Makes it unlawful for a major meatpacking conglomerate to control more than one major type of meat, i.e., pork, chicken, beef;

Imposes hard caps on the concentration of beef markets at both the regional and national levels and authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to order divestiture from the market if those caps are exceeded;

Prohibits foreign leverage over the domestic meat market, empowering FTC to protect competition and national security;

Directs the FTC to enforce against discriminatory pricing practices in retail and wholesale meat markets that hit independent and neighborhood grocers the hardest;

Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance, loan guarantees, and technical assistance to farmers’ cooperatives and small business concerns to acquire meatpacking facilities divested under the Act; and

Creates enforceable penalties for corporations that fail to properly divest, enforceable under the FTC Act.

This legislation builds upon a field hearing hosted by the Monopoly Busters Caucus earlier this year in which an independent rancher testified to the harmful effects of consolidation in the meatpacking industry.

""North Dakota has some of the highest quality beef in the nation, and my fellow ranchers deserve a larger share of the profit for their hard work,"" said Travis Anderson, North Dakota cattle rancher and member of Dakota Resource Council and the National Family Farm Coalition. ""Breaking up the dominant meat processing companies while addressing horizontal integration would make the overall industry more fair and competitive, while also providing consumers with more affordable and abundant choices at the grocery store.""

“The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act takes on a root cause of the factory farm system that has devastated rural communities, workers, public health, and family farmers – the market power of a handful of giant meatpackers,” said Patty Lovera, policy advisor for the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment. “It’s time to break up the massive companies that have consolidated livestock production and rigged the market against independent producers.”

""Today, we will lose 63 farmers, and at the same time, Americans struggle to feed their families, and that's no accident,” said Joe Maxwell, president of Farm Action Fund. “It's the predictable result of decades of unchecked consolidation that has allowed a handful of corporations to control our food system. As a fourth-generation family farmer, I have witnessed this takeover firsthand. The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act begins restoring the freedom to farm, the freedom to compete, and the freedom for families to afford the food they need. We applaud Representatives Jayapal, Deluzio, Ryan, and the other sponsors for confronting concentrated corporate power and standing with America's farmers, workers, and consumers.""

“For decades, four meatpacking giants have used their monopoly power to drive up grocery bills and squeeze out the farmers and ranchers who feed America,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “Rep. Jayapal’s bill takes direct aim at the root of the problem by breaking up the big four meatpackers and restoring real competition. Americans deserve food markets that reward hard work, not corporate gatekeepers. Congress should seize this opportunity to stand with families, farmers, and independent businesses instead of monopoly power.”

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act is also sponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesus G. ""Chuy"" Garcia (IL-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Henry C. (""Hank"") Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Emily Randall (WA-06), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

It is endorsed by American Economic Liberties Project (AELP), Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE), Consumer Federation of America, Demand Progress, Farm Action Fund, Food & Water Watch, Groundwork Action, Montana Cattlemen's Association (MCA), National Family Farm Coalition (NFCC), Open Markets Institute (OMI), and Small Business Majority.

###",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z
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 Following 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas occurred six days apart.

In 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.

“The 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,” the Senators wrote. “Rather than making our communities safer, these actions endanger our citizens and seriously undermine confidence in law enforcement generally.”

“The tragic deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastián Durán 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,” the Senators continued. “These 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.”

“We 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 ‘the worst of the worst,’ making these tragic deaths even more egregious. The American people deserve clarity and accountability. We urge you to honor your Department’s earlier commitments and take immediate action to implement these necessary reforms. We also stand ready to work with you to codify reforms into law,” the Senators concluded.

In 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 Luján (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).

Read and download the full text of Senators’ letter to DHS Secretary Mullin.

###",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. — 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.

“Small and family farms are at the heart of Vermont’s economy and culture. Without them, Vermont wouldn’t be the place we know and love,” said Senator Welch. “But rapid consolidation has jeopardized the well-being and vitality of farms across America—we can’t let that happen. We also need urgent, commonsense safeguards to protect workers in the agricultural industry who face hazardous and exploitative working conditions.”

The 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).

“For too long, our food system has rewarded large corporations while squeezing the workers and small farmers who feed our communities,” said Senator Booker. “These 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.”

“Multinational 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,” said Judith McGeary, Executive Director, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA). “The 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 — 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.”

Learn 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.

•••

The 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).

“The people who put food on our table deserve more than just our gratitude. They deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect,” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m proud to work alongside my colleagues to support the workers not only in our Commonwealth, but across the country.”

[“Farmworkers are the backbone of our nation’s economy,” said Senator Wyden. “The 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’s agricultural industry, and I’m proud to support this bill that will help protect this essential workforce and ensure they’re earning the wage they deserve.”

“The 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,” said Milton Jones, International President, UFCW. “Food 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

Learn 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.

•••

Senator Welch has championed bipartisan and bicameral legislation to support the farmers and ranchers who feed America’s 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.

###",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’s 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. — 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:

“These new tariff threats against Canada are an extreme escalation of President Trump’s reckless and irresponsible trade war. The White House’s endless attacks on our Canadian neighbors—Vermont’s closest partner in trade—have caused undeniable harm to our state’s economy, and the aftershocks of today’s 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,” said Senator Welch. “This 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’s creating; I look forward to questioning Ambassador Greer about these careless decisions when he testifies before the Finance Committee on Wednesday.”

Senator 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’ constitutional role in trade policy.

###",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=776,"Balint, Nearly 200 House Democrats Demand Independent Investigations into Killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Johan Sebastian Guerrero",2026-07-17,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and nearly 200 colleagues in calling for independent investigations into Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero’s deaths and demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) halt removal proceedings against the witnesses.

“Both of these incidents have created enormous fear and outrage in the community, and raise serious questions about the safety of community members, regardless of immigration status,” wrote the Members. “Far too many people, Americans and noncitizens alike, are dead as a result of DHS’s reckless actions. There must be accountability and independent investigations.”

On July 7th, ICE agents shot and killed Mr. Salgado Araujo, a father of three U.S. citizens who had resided in the country for 35 years. He was reportedly not ICE’s target in their operation, and despite ICE’s claims that Mr. Salgado Araujo “weaponized his vehicle,” no evidence to substantiate that claim has been presented, and it is disputed by witnesses in the vehicle.

On July 13th, ICE agents shot and killed Mr. Guerrero, a father who also was reportedly not the target of enforcement actions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims to have shot him in concern for “public safety” after he “attempted to flee.” The agency does not allege that at any point officers feared for their safety. Video of this killing shows ICE officers handcuffing Mr. Guerrero even after he had been shot in the head.

DHS agents, including ICE agents, have shot at least 21 people just since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. Six of these shootings have been fatal, resulting in the death of U.S. citizens and individuals who posed no public safety threat. In two previous shootings, ICE has claimed that victims were also “weaponizing” their vehicles, claims that have turned out to be false statements as evidence emerged.

In addition to the demands for an independent investigation and the commitment that witnesses to the killing of Mr. Salgado Araujo not be deported, the Members are asking for a detailed breakdown of all training materials and guidelines around vehicle stops.

The full text of the letter to DHS Secretary Mullin and ICE Acting Director Venturella can be read here.

The letter was also signed by Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Al Green (TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo Jose Hernández (PR-At Large), Jim Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), William R. Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Susie Lee (NV-03), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristin McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen S. Moore (WI-04), Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Josh Riley (NY-19), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

###",1,2026-07-18T06:58:50Z,2026-07-18T07:31:57Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=777,"Balint, Warren Lead Lawmakers in Calling for Antitrust Regulators to Closely Scrutinize Fox Takeover of Roku, Ensure Review is Free from Political Favoritism",2026-07-17,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, wrote to Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, who oversees the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, urging the agency to “closely scrutinize” Fox Corporation’s (Fox) proposed $22 billion takeover of Roku, Inc. (Roku) and commit to reviewing the merger “free from political interference and in an impartial fashion.”

“We are concerned that, given the Department of Justice’s recent rubber-stamping of deals that may violate antitrust law – and in particular, your apparent role interfering in nonpartisan antitrust enforcement — the (DOJ) may not give this transaction the close review it deserves,” wrote the lawmakers.

Representatives Jerold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust; Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.); Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.); Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.); Summer Lee (D-Pa.); and Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) also joined in signing the letter.

In recent months, senior DOJ leadership, including Associate Attorney General Woodward, and politically connected lobbyists reportedly intervening in antitrust enforcement actions such as the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)-Juniper Networks merger settlement, which led to the firing of then-Antitrust Division senior official Roger Alford and another deputy after they objected to the interference.

If approved, the Fox-Roku merger would combine the country’s two largest free, ad-supported streaming television services. The result would be greater control by Fox-Roku over how viewers watch TV, the device they use to watch, and what programs they watch, meaning fewer choices for viewers and likely highercosts. The entertainment and streaming industries have seen rapid consolidation in the previous year, including with the Disney-Fubo and Paramount-Skydance deals.

“Eliminating a significant competitor would reduce consumer choice for free streaming services and could give the combined entity market power to start charging for a previously free service,” warned the lawmakers.

Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, who currently leads the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, has reportedlydirected Antitrust Division attorneys to settle antitrust law enforcement cases instead of taking them to trial. Additionally, just three days after his recent designation, Antitrust Division attorneys were reportedly told that the review of the potential Paramount-Warner Bros. merger would be closed.

“We are concerned that settlements invite opportunities for more backroom deals like the ones we have seen during this administration, and will weaken enforcers’ ability to go after antitrust violations in order to lower prices for American families,” wrote the lawmakers.

Antitrust law prohibits mergers whose effect “may be substantially to lessen competition, or to tend to create a monopoly,” and the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission’s Merger Guidelines require agencies to “examine whether a trend toward consolidation in an industry would heighten … competition concerns” when investigating whether a merger violates the antitrust laws.

“In order to uphold the Antitrust Division’s responsibility to protect competition and consumers, we urge DOJ to closely scrutinize the proposed Fox-Roku deal under antitrust law and seek your commitment that the review will be conducted free from political interference and in an impartial fashion,” the lawmakers concluded.

Senator Warren has led the way in fighting back against the Trump administration’s apparent use of federal agencies for political favoritism:

In July 2026, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) celebrated the news that a coalition of 12 attorneys general filed a lawsuit challenging the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, saying the “megamerger would mean higher costs and fewer choices for Americans.”

In April 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) joined Senator Booker (D-NJ) in introducing the Correcting Lapsed Enforcement in Antitrust Norms for Mergers Act (CLEAN Mergers Act) to restore integrity and independence to federal antitrust enforcement.

In April 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led Senator Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representatives Jayapal (D-Wash.), Deluzio (D-Pa.), Balint (D-Vt.), Craig (D-Minn.), Nadler (D-N.Y.), and Raskin (D-Md.) in requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Inspector General (IG) William M. Blier open a new, independent investigationinto potential corruption involving the DOJ’s antitrust-related activity.

In February 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Balint (D-Vt.) led colleagues in pressing Attorney General Pam Bondi on whether there was corruption and political favoritism at the Department of Justice (DOJ) involving the agency’s questionable review of the massive merger between real estate giants Compass and Anywhere Real Estate. The lawmakers’ push followed the ouster of top DOJ antitrust official Gail Slater.

In December 2025, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to recuse herself from the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s review of any Warner Bros. merger due to potential conflicts of interest related to her former employer, lobbying firm Ballard Partners. A DOJ spokesperson had indicated that Bondi would lead the Trump administration’s review of the merger, alongside DOJ Antitrust head Gail Slater.

In September 2025, Senators Warren (D-Mass.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Booker (D-N.J.), and Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sounded the alarm on Stanley Woodward’s nomination for Associate Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ), ahead of his Senate confirmation vote expected as early as next week as part of a batch of 100 nominees. Since April 2025, Woodward had served as Counselor to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

In June 2025, Senators Warren (D-Mass.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Booker (D-N.J.), and Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote to Judge P. Casey Pitts of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, urging the court to use its power under the Tunney Act to determine whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) approved Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.’s (HPE) $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks (Juniper) based on political favors.",1,2026-07-18T06:58:50Z,2026-07-18T07:31:57Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-bicameral-legislation-to-expose-corporate-abuse-of-tax-havens-job-offshoring/,"Welch Joins Bicameral Legislation to 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. – 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’ use of tax havens and incentives to offshore jobs. The lawmakers’ 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.

“Our tax law in the United States is totally broken–we 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’re working to ensure that corporations are held accountable for hiding profits in foreign tax havens,” said Senator Welch.

“While 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 – shining a light on this issue is the first step,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“As 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’m proud to support this legislation that will require companies to disclose foreign operations, and ensure corporations pay into the system here at home,” said Rep. Pettersen. “The Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act will increase transparency, and make corporations start paying their fair share.”

In 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).

While President Trump’s 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 ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ 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.

The 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 – 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.

This 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).

Learn more about the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",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, Luján, 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 Luján (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.

“For years, conservative Supreme Court Justices have accepted expensive gifts and travel from their friends who have business before the Court. It’s unethical, and it’s 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—and it’s high time they are,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Senators Luján and Schiff on this bill to increase accountability and restore public trust in our nation’s most powerful court.”

“Over the past several years, we’ve seen far too many reports detailing how lavish gifts and luxury travel have undermined public confidence in the Supreme Court,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I’m 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 — our nation’s highest and most powerful court — should be held to the highest ethical standards to protect our democracy from the influence of dark money and special interests.”

“The 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,” said Senator Schiff.

“In every other part of the federal government, taking lavish gifts from interested parties is called corruption—but at the Supreme Court, it’s 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’t 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,” said Ranking Member Raskin.

“The 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 Luján, to remove the influence of dark money from our nation’s highest judicial body. We must pass this commonsense proposal to safeguard the sanctity of our legal institutions and democracy,” said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez.

Unlike other federal judges, Members of Congress, and executive branch officials—who are all bound by strict gift rules—Supreme 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 “gifts” from wealthy benefactors and political allies worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The 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.

The 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’s 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.

The 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’s 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.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###",1,2026-07-18T06:58:50Z,2026-07-18T07:00:34Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=775,Rep. Balint Introduces Amendment to Republican Budget Resolution to Stop Funding for Unauthorized War in Iran,2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) introduced an amendment during the House Budget Committee's markup of the Republican budget resolution to strike $73 billion in funding for President Trump's unauthorized war in Iran.

Balint's amendment would have prohibited funding for military action that has not been explicitly authorized by Congress, reaffirming Congress's constitutional authority to declare war and rejecting what she called another Republican ""blank check"" for President Trump's military escalation.

""A colleague on the other side earlier in this hearing said this was all a game...It's not a game at all. It's deadly serious,"" said Rep. Balint during the committee markup. ""Americans are disgusted when we think of the work that we do here as a game. And it's truly astounding that we're here, again, considering a highly partisan budget resolution for a third Republican reconciliation bill that increases costs and does nothing to help the people back home. So, let's level set. What are we doing here? Why are we here today? This is about waging war, a war that we were told for the last five months isn't really a war.""

Balint criticized Republicans for rushing the budget resolution through committee with little transparency while proposing tens of billions of dollars in additional military spending without identifying how it would be paid for.

""My [Republican] colleagues constantly howl that the deficit is one of the nation's greatest challenges, yet this resolution contains no substantive ideas for how to pay for this massive increase in spending,” Balint said. “Meanwhile, we hear constantly that we can't possibly afford healthcare or food for Americans...and yet, when it comes to approving tens of billions of dollars in additional Pentagon spending, they’re a rubber stamp...there's always time for more war.""

Balint noted that Congress had already passed a bipartisan War Powers Resolution directing the President to end U.S. military involvement in Iran absent explicit congressional authorization.

""Republicans are in charge of Congress, and they have repeatedly written a blank check for however much Donald Trump wants to pay for any of his pet projects and priorities. They have given up the people's power spelled out in Article I of the Constitution,” she remarked. “Our power as members of Congress is the people's power. That's why I'm introducing an amendment that would prohibit any spending on unauthorized wars, striking the $73 billion in spending [dedicated for the Department of Defense.]""

Later, Balint pushed back against Republican claims that opposing the funding package would weaken national security.

""With all due respect, Mr. Chair, I am sick and tired of hearing from my colleagues on the other side that Democrats want to put national security at risk. Tired of it. When I've got family members of people who are in harm's way right now in the Middle East, who are put in harm's way in Venezuela, who don't have confidence that we are making smart decisions about how we spend our military money. So please, spare me,” said Balint. “The bottom line is that this budget resolution is a poorly planned, poorly drafted backdoor deal to pay for President Trump's decision to start a war with Iran. It's irresponsible. He didn't know how he was going to get out of it. And we see it played out every single day on the news. We deserve so much better than that.”

Balint urged her colleagues to support her amendment and reject the Republican budget resolution, arguing it prioritizes funding an unauthorized war over lowering costs and investing in the needs of American families. Ultimately, the amendment failed on a party-line vote, with every Republican on the committee voting against it.

###",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-honored-with-national-retail-federations-2026-champion-of-main-street-award/,Welch Honored with National Retail Federation's 2026 “Champion of Main Street” Award,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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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’s 2026 “Champion of Main Street” 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’s largest retail trade association, with members including department stores, catalog, Internet, and independent retailers, restaurants, grocery stores, multi-level marketing companies, and vendors.

In 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.

Photo Credit: National Retail Federation

Retail is the nation’s 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’s overall workforce—higher 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.

Under 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—opening 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.

Senator Welch has led efforts to combat market consolidation in the retail industry and ensure Vermont’s 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.

###",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=774,25 Members of Congress Release Joint Statement on Massie Amendment to Republican Foreign Aid Budget Bill,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Today, 25 Members of Congress, including Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) and led by Congressman Jim McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement in advance of voting yes on Amendment #8, which would halt certain U.S. funding to Israel, to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act:

“As Members of Congress, it is our duty to ensure that our constituents’ hard-earned money is used in a way that advances America’s interests and values. For this reason, we do not support providing an additional $3.3 billion of American taxpayer dollars to be used for Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon—operations which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, led to the indiscriminate destruction of civilian infrastructure, and caused severe and ongoing humanitarian catastrophes. These are just the latest in a long string of human rights violations inflicted on Palestinian civilians. For nearly six decades, Israeli security forces and military authorities have enforced the occupation of the Palestinian territories, including through restrictions on freedom of movement, arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings. It is clear that existing human rights conditions on the use of American security assistance have not been meaningfully enforced. Enough is enough.

“Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve peace, freedom, security, stability, and self-determination. Those aims will only be achieved when their inherent dignity and inalienable rights are at the center of U.S. policy in the region. Diplomacy is the answer, and as long as America provides constant funding for more war, peace will always remain out of reach.

“Our vote should not be interpreted as opposition to initiatives such as the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act programs or others that foster people-to-people engagement, strengthen civil society, and advance the long-term prospects for a just and lasting peace. We remain committed to supporting these and similar programs while ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars advance peace, security, and American interests and values.”

The statement was released by Representatives: Becca Balint (D-VT), Don Beyer (D-VA), Greg Casar (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL), Adelita S. Grijalva (D-AZ), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY).

###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-cassidy-applaud-senate-advancement-of-bipartisan-reauthorization-of-the-older-americans-act/,"NEWS: Sanders, Cassidy Applaud Senate Advancement of Bipartisan Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Independent,Senate,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,sanders,https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, July 15 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) applaud the Senate unanimously passing the Older Americans Act (OAA), a critically important law that provides services supporting the health, independence and dignity of older adults across the nation. The bill’s reauthorization effort was also led by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).

“I’m delighted that the Senate unanimously passed legislation last night to expand and improve the Older Americans Act,” Sanders said. “This legislation begins to pay attention to the urgent unmet needs of seniors in America and what we should do as a nation to reduce the senior poverty rate, prevent hunger, combat loneliness and isolation and improve the health and well-being of some of the most vulnerable people in our country. Not only does the Older Americans Act save lives and ease human suffering, it saves money. In fact, it costs less to feed a senior for an entire year through the Older Americans Act than it does for a senior to spend one night in a hospital. While there is much more that we must do to reduce the senior poverty rate in America and to make sure that every senior in America has access to the services they need this bi-partisan legislation is a very good step forward.”

“The Older Americans Act helps Americans remain independent and connected to the communities they helped build. For more than 60 years, the Older Americans Act has connected seniors with services that help them age with dignity,” Cassidy said. “This bipartisan reauthorization ensures that support continues as the nation’s aging population grows.”

The OAA, first signed into law in 1965, funds a wide range of services. The act has provided vital nutrition, social, economic and health services to millions of older adults for over six decades. Last reauthorized in 2020, OAA expired in the 118th congress. The previous OAA reauthorization effort, also lead by Sanders and Cassidy, passed the Senate unanimously in 2024 but did not pass the House.

The bipartisan reauthorization of the Older American Act marks a major step forward in strengthening the nation’s commitment to older adults. The legislation expands critical nutrition, health and community-based services at a time when millions of older adults are facing growing unmet needs. It would reauthorize OAA programs through fiscal year 2030 and make improvements to better support family caregivers and direct care workers, Tribal seniors and those with disabilities in their communities.",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
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 Canada and Mexico as Cohosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) today celebrated the Senate’s unanimous passage of their bipartisan resolution honoring the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Senators’ 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’s neighbors.

The 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’s host cities for this year’s competition included Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.

“The ‘United Bid’ 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’ve 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’s National Team compete with grit and determination, which rallied so many Americans around this historic tournament,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to join Senator Cramer in leading this effort thanking our great neighbors, Canada and Mexico, for their collaboration in bringing the world’s most popular tournament back home in a historic way.”

“This year’s 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,” said Senator Cramer.

The 2026 Men’s World Cup is the highest attended FIFA World Cup in the competition’s history, with a current all-time attendance record of 3,605,357. Prior to this year’s 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.

Read and download the full text of the resolution.

###",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 Grills Blanche During Nomination Hearing to Serve as Attorney General: “Todd Blanche works for Donald Trump. He does not work for the American people.”,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’s former personal attorney and Acting AG Todd Blanche on his conflicts of interest during tenure as Deputy AG

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.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’s 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’s demonstrated loyalty to President Trump—his former client—is prioritized ahead of the Americans he has been entrusted to serve.

“We cannot have a Justice Department that makes prosecutions of American citizens—whether they’re in office or not—on the basis of the political preferences of the president. Todd Blanche works for Donald Trump. He does not work for the American people,” said Senator Welch at a press conference following the hearing.

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks from the hearing below:

Read and watch an excerpt from Senator Welch’s exchange with Acting AG Blanche about his involvement in the settlement granting President Trump legal immunity and creating the anti-weaponization slush fund:

Sen. Welch: I mean, that is truly bizarre that the chief executive gets his appointed person—who was formerly his personal attorney—to negotiate on his behalf, where at the end of the day, taxpayers are going to pay.

Acting AG Blanche: The other thing I’ll correct, though, is you used the word as if I negotiated. I wasn’t part of the negotiation, which I’ve said before.

Sen. Welch: Your department is—you had to sign off on it. That is your signature.

Acting AG Blanche: Yes, that’s true. Yes, that is my signature.

Sen. Welch: I mean, look: you’re at the top of the pile here. So, you don’t 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’m sure you accept that.

Acting AG Blanche: Correct. Yes, oh I do have responsibility for it. I agree with that.

Sen. Welch: That’s right.

•••

Senator Welch has called on Acting AG Blanche to resign and expressed strong opposition to Acting AG Blanche’s nomination to serve in the role permanently.

In 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’s creation of the nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” emphasizing how President Trump’s 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.

Last 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’s 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’ 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—including a letter from then-Interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to Attorney General Bondi—suggesting he was aware of the decision.

The Senator subsequently led every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat in calling on Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate the truthfulness of Mr. Blanche’s testimony at his confirmation hearing.

###",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: “Now it’s time to have an industrial policy that’s good for workers, and good for America, and good for the economy.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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’s energy workforce, policies that support clean energy and manufacturing jobs, and the impacts of the Trump Administration’s actions on workers. Senator Welch highlighted the need for Congress to invest in career and technical education opportunities to expand America’s clean energy workforce.

“Congress 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—not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the necessary thing to do. We need industrial policy that’s good for workers, good for America, and good for the economy,” said Senator Welch. “We’ll keep fighting for good jobs for hardworking people.”

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks below:

Senators 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.).

Senators 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.

Watch a livestream of the roundtable here.

###",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’s Illegal War with Iran Has Forced Vermont to Pay $113 Million More for Gas, 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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee today released new data outlining how President Trump’s 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.

U.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:

“Vermont families are paying the price for President Trump’s illegal war with Iran. The average household has spent $441 more for gas, so far—and there’s 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.”

View the data from JEC below:

Senator 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.

###",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 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 on the NDAA:,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. – 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.

“This national defense authorization fails to address the critical question that is before this country right now, and that is the war in Iran,” said Senator Welch. “It 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…It 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’re going to pay for it—and this, on top of a deficit that is the highest we’ve ever had in this country.”

Watch Senator Welch’s speech below:

Read an excerpt of Senator Welch’s remarks:

“When 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…We’ve 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.”

•••

Last 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’s peace negotiations and is spying on the United States.

###",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 Lead Reintroduction of Bill to 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. – 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’s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) funding to implement buffer zones, agricultural tools used by farmers to protect farmland from flooding, erosion, and water pollution.

“Our 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,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Sanders and Rep. Balint on this legislation to help Vermont farmers better mitigate flooding risk and protect our state’s farmland from natural disasters.”

“Vermont 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’s water quality and protect their land from the kind of damage we saw over the past few years,” said Senator Sanders.

“As climate change brings more frequent and severe extreme weather events, it’s critical that farmers in Vermont and across the country have the tools they need to protect their land and livelihoods,” said Rep. Balint. “Ahead of the anniversary of the catastrophic 2023 and 2024 floods, I’m proud to be reintroducing the BUFFER Act alongside our Senators. Our delegation stands united in support of Vermonters as folks continue to rebuild.”

The delegation first introduced the legislation in direct response to Vermont’s catastrophic July 2023 floods.

Buffer 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’s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CREP) to implement buffers in their fields. However, because the State of Vermont has a buffer mandate, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has required Vermont to follow an arduous process to access CREP buffer funding. These bureaucratic barriers have hampered Vermonters’ ability to use this vital conservation tool and receive compensation for their preventative work.

The 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’s Conservation CREP funding to implement buffer zones, even if state law already requires farmers to maintain buffer zones.

Learn more about the BUFFER Act.

Read and download the full text of the legislation.

###",1,2026-07-11T07:10:48Z,2026-07-11T07:14:29Z
https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=770,"Balint, Welch, Sanders Lead Reintroduction of Bill to Help Protect Vermont Farmland from Flooding",2026-07-10,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,VT,Becca Balint,B001318,balint.house.gov,balint,https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), 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’s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) funding to implement buffer zones, agricultural tools used by farmers to protect farmland from flooding, erosion, and water pollution.

“As climate change brings more frequent and severe extreme weather events, it’s critical that farmers in Vermont and across the country have the tools they need to protect their land and livelihoods,” said Rep. Balint. “Ahead of the anniversary of the catastrophic 2023 and 2024 floods, I’m proud to be reintroducing the BUFFER Act alongside our Senators. Our delegation stands united in support of Vermonters as folks continue to rebuild.”

“Our 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,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Sanders and Rep. Balint on this legislation to help Vermont farmers better mitigate flooding risk and protect our state’s farmland from natural disasters.”

“Vermont 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’s water quality and protect their land from the kind of damage we saw over the past few years,” said Senator Sanders.

The delegation first introduced the legislation in direct response to Vermont’s catastrophic July 2023 floods.

Buffer 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’s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CREP) to implement buffers in their fields. However, because the State of Vermont has a buffer mandate, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has required Vermont to follow an arduous process to access CREP buffer funding. These bureaucratic barriers have hampered Vermonters’ ability to use this vital conservation tool and receive compensation for their preventative work.

The 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’s Conservation CREP funding to implement buffer zones, even if state law already requires farmers to maintain buffer zones.

Learn more about the BUFFER Act.

Read and download the full text of the legislation.

###",1,2026-07-12T07:28:31Z,2026-07-12T07:30:18Z