Press Releases
February 4, 2009
Press Release
President Obama expected to sign SCHIP bill later this afternoonWASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House passed a bill Wednesday that would provide health care coverage to 11 million children.The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization bill will expand coverage to 4 million uninsured children and will allow states to continue covering 7 million children who already have health insurance.
February 4, 2009
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch applauded President Obama's decision Wednesday to cap executive compensation at firms receiving government bailout funds.At a White House press conference this morning, Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner said they would limit at $500,000 the salaries and bonuses of executives whose firms received money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The new rules would also ban golden parachutes and require more transparency for corporate expenses, such as planes, parties, office renovations and conferences.
January 28, 2009
Press Release
Stimulus bill would bring $1.2 billion to Vermont through infrastructure development and tax reliefWASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House passed Wednesday the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a major effort to rebuild the economy by providing tax relief, creating green jobs and investing in the future. The vote was 244-188.The bill would bring roughly $1.2 billion in relief to Vermonters over two years in tax relief, support for the state budget and other federal spending.
January 27, 2009
Press Release
Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition will work to create jobs by building a new, green economyWASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch announced Tuesday the formation of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), an action-based caucus in the U.S. House devoted to building the economy by focusing on progressive energy and environmental policies. Welch will serve as the 2009 Vice Chairman for Outreach.The group's founding mission is to "advance policies that promote clean energy technology innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create green collar jobs throughout the product supply-chain, help arrest global warming and protect our nation's clean air, water and natural environment."
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January 26, 2009
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch hailed President Obama's decision Monday to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider a waiver requested by California, Vermont and 12 other states that would allow them to set strict, new vehicle emissions standards.Obama today reversed a December 2007 ruling by the Bush administration which denied states the right to demand tougher fuel efficiency standards than those set by the federal government. The president was also expected to direct the Department of Transportation to require a nationwide average fuel efficiency increase to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
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January 23, 2009
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - After touring the Vermont Department of Labor's Burlington Resource Center Friday, Rep. Peter Welch pledged to support unemployed Vermonters and ensure they receive the assistance they need.The current economic downturn has forced businesses throughout Vermont to lay-off workers and has overburdened state and federal safety nets. The sharp increase in unemployment claims has strained the Vermont Department of Labor and is depleting the state's unemployment insurance trust fund.
January 22, 2009
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved an amendment Thursday offered by Reps. Peter Welch and Jay Inslee that would prioritize existing efficiency and renewable energy programs in the economic stimulus bill.The amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment bill would encourage states to direct $3.4 billion in new State Energy Program funding toward the expansion of programs already engaged in energy efficiency projects and renewable energy development.
January 22, 2009
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch was named Thursday to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
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January 21, 2009
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House passed a bill Wednesday that closes a Bush administration loophole and strictly limits pay for executives receiving government bailout funds. The vote was 260-166.The TARP Reform and Accountability Act (H.R. 384) reforms the Troubled Asset Relief Program by banning bonuses for the 25 most highly-paid employees of institutions receiving bailout funds, prohibiting multi-million dollar golden parachutes and punishing executives who manipulate earnings to increase compensation. The bill also enhances oversight abilities of the Treasury Department and ensures that TARP funds are spent as Congress intended.
January 15, 2009
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch released the following statement regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan - details of which were released by House leadership Thursday:"This plan will stimulate the economy, create new jobs and invest in our future. My top priorities have been to take the pressure off Vermont taxpayers and create new Vermont jobs by building a green economy. This plan invests in renewable energy and provides immediate tax relief for the Vermont taxpayer by waiving the state transportation match, reimbursing Vermont for Medicaid expenses and funding special education."