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Vermont receives $19.4 million in energy efficiency, weatherization and renewable energy funding

September 22, 2009 Press Release

U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Tuesday announced over $19 million in recovery funding for energy efficiency, weatherization and renewable energy programs in Vermont.The Department of Energy this week released the second half of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for two Vermont programs geared toward reducing the states energy use and creating jobs. Vermonts State Energy Program received the remaining $11 million of $22 million allocated to Vermont. The states Weatherization Assistance Program received the final $8.4 million of the $16.8 million Vermont was due.

Issues:

Improving the Economy, Clean Energy and Lower Bills

Welch outlines plan to increase Social Security benefits for seniors

September 21, 2009 Press Release

Legislation would improve cost-of-living adjustment to meet seniors’ needs

Rep. Peter Welch on Monday outlined legislation that would alter the Social Security cost-of-living formula so that it more accurately tracks rising costs faced by seniors.

Issues:

Improving the Economy, Middle Class

Welch supports, House passes bill to make college more affordable to middle class families

September 17, 2009 Press Release

Welch amendment preserves critical outreach role for VSAC

Issues:

Affordable College Education, Middle Class

Welch leads initiative to make federal government more energy efficient

September 15, 2009 Press Release

More than 50 members join Welchs call for energy and cost savingsRep. Peter Welch on Tuesday led an effort calling on the nation s largest energy consumer the federal government to reduce its energy use and save taxpayer dollars.In a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Welch urged the Department of Energy to implement President Obamas pledge to save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75 percent of federal buildings more energy efficient. American taxpayers spend $4 billion annually to heat, cool and power roughly 500,000 federal buildings and facilities.

Issues:

Clean Energy and Lower Bills, Oversight

Welch responds to President Obama’s address

September 9, 2009 Press Release

Rep. Peter Welch issued the following statement Wednesday night following President Obama's address to the nation:

"President Obama made clear tonight the urgency and necessity of reforming the nation's health care system so that it benefits the American people - not the insurance industry.

Issues:

Quality and Affordable Health Care

Welch announces regional Telephone Town Halls

September 8, 2009 Press Release

Rep. Peter Welch on Tuesday announced a series of four regional Telephone Town Hall forums to be held throughout September.After spending August traveling throughout the state, Welch will listen to Vermonters' views about Congress' agenda this fall and will take questions about pending legislation. Based on successful statewide telephone forums Welch has held in the past - which focused on the economy, health care reform and small businesses - these forums will allow residents of four regions to weigh in on the issues that matter most to them, including regional issues.Click here for more information.

Welch gift ban would crack down on pharmaceutical marketing abuse

September 3, 2009 Press Release

In wake of Pfizer settlement Thursday, Welch reiterates call for an end to drug company payments and gifts to doctorsRep. Peter Welch on Thursday reiterated his call for a ban on gifts pharmaceutical companies can give to doctors and urged the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to pass his amendment ending the practice.Welch pointed to Thursday's announcement that Pfizer has agreed to pay a record $2.3 billion to settle allegations of illegal marketing of a painkiller drug - including gifts of golf and massages - as an egregious example of some drug companies' efforts to influence doctors. While Pfizer violated existing, bare-bones laws restricting the marketing of drugs for uses the Food and Drug Administration has not approved, Welch has called for much stronger regulations.

Issues:

Quality and Affordable Health Care, Oversight

Welch tackles college affordability at financial aid roundtable

September 2, 2009 Press Release

Vermont students and higher education officials discuss education legislation at Vermont Technical College forumAs Vermont students returned to campus this week, Rep. Peter Welch held a roundtable Wednesday morning to discuss college affordability and gather input about pending legislation that could revamp the nation's financial aid system.

Issues:

Affordable College Education

Welch statement on the death of Sen. Kennedy

August 26, 2009 Press Release

Rep. Peter Welch issued the following statement Wednesday upon the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy:

"Today our country lost a true American hero, a courageous champion for the underprivileged, and a generous and caring Irish soul.

Welch statement on the death of Lt. Joseph Fortin

August 25, 2009 Press Release

Rep. Peter Welch issued the following statement Tuesday about the death of U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin in Iraq:

"With the tragic death of Lt. Fortin, Vermont has lost a brave soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In this time of great sorrow we must keep his family in our thoughts and support them in their time of grieving."

In The News

Brattleboro Reformer: "Milk money"

October 1, 2009 In The News

By Howard Weiss-Tisman, Brattleboro Reformer

As Vermont’s Congressional delegation pleads its case to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to deliver emergency aid to the state’s dairy farmers as soon as possible, they will be competing with lawmakers from every other dairy producing state in the nation.

Issues:

Helping Farmers Thrive

Burlington Free Press: "Dairy lawmakers agree on $350M to aid farmers"

October 1, 2009 In The News

Burlington Free Press staff report

WASHINGTON — Vermont dairy farmers might soon see help from Washington.

Issues:

Helping Farmers Thrive

Brattleboro Reformer: "Taking the lead"

October 1, 2009 In The News

Brattleboro Reformer editorial

It’s heartening to know that as health care legislation makes its way through Congress, there are a lot of Vermont’s ideas receiving serious consideration.

Issues:

Quality and Affordable Health Care