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August 7, 2009
Press Release
The U.S. Labor Department today approved trade adjustment assistance for Ethan Allen employees in Beecher Falls, Vt., Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced.The Vermont congressional delegation supported an application submitted by the Vermont Department of Labor on behalf of the employees for assistance after Ethan Allen announced up to 260 employees would lose their jobs at the company's Beecher Falls location. Members of New Hampshire's Congressional delegation, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Vt.) and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D-N.H.) also supported the application.
August 6, 2009
Press Release
With leaders from the Northeast Kingdom, Welch discusses Northern Border Regional Commission fundingRep. Peter Welch and leaders from throughout the Northeast Kingdom outlined economic development opportunities presented by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) during a press conference Thursday morning in Newport.At Newport's Gateway Center, on the shores of Lake Memphremagog, Welch announced the first-ever round of funding appropriated to the NBRC by the U.S. House in July. The $3 million federal investment will help launch the four state regional commission, opening the door for increased funding opportunities for projects in Northern Vermont and its neighboring regions.
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August 4, 2009
Press Release
Rep. Peter Welch late last week voted against legislation that would subject Vermont family farmers, small businesses and artisan food producers to unreasonable fees.The Food Safety Enhancement Act (H.R. 2749) would prevent food-borne illnesses by increasing the number and scope of food inspections - but would do so at the expense of small food producers. The bill unfairly subjects Vermont farmers, maple syrup producers and cheese-makers to the same $500 annual registration fee as large, multi-state agri-businesses.
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July 31, 2009
Press Release
Delegation Nets Quick Results In All-Out Push For Boost In Dairy Price SupportsU.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Friday welcomed a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to lift the floor price for dairy products.The decision was announced two days after the Vermont senators and a coalition of more than two dozen senators from other dairy states met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The meeting and the multi-region coalition of senators were organized by Leahy, the senior-most member of the Agriculture Committee, to seek a short-term hike in the price the federal government pays for milk and dairy products in the marketplace. Leahy and the coalition also followed through with an appeal to White House Budget Director Peter Orszag.
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July 31, 2009
Press Release
An amendment offered by Rep. Peter Welch requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate prescription drug prices for seniors passed the Energy and Commerce Committee Friday evening. The vote was 32 to 23.Welch's measure amends America's Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200), comprehensive health care reform legislation that could be passed by the committee later Friday. The amendment will cut prescription drug prices for Medicare Part D participants by requiring HHS to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies.
July 31, 2009
Press Release
Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce passed historic health care reform legislation Friday night by a vote of 31 to 28.America's Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) will expand health insurance access to 37 million Americans, rein in unsustainably escalating health care costs and ensure long-overdue insurance reforms. The bill increases patient choice by creating a public health insurance option, which will reduce costs through competition with private insurers.
July 30, 2009
Press Release
Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House passed legislation late Wednesday to address a projected shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund by restoring $7 billion in federal transportation funding to the states.H.R. 3357 prevents an 85 percent reduction in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding, which would have reduced Vermonts share from $134 million to $20 million in 2010.
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July 29, 2009
Press Release
More than 50 Members of Congress join together to fight for family farmersRep. Peter Welch and a bipartisan group of more than 50 members of the House launched the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus at a Wednesday morning press conference in the Capitol. Representatives from California to Florida to Pennsylvania and Vermont joined together to declare that the critical issues confronting the American dairy farmer will not go unheard in Congress."Congress bailed out the Wall Street banks because they were too big to fail.' If we don't act now to support our dairy farmers, aren't we saying they are too small to matter'?" Welch asked. "Only by working together across regional lines and party lines will we be able to help dairy farmers survive in the short-term and help the dairy industry thrive in the long-term."
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July 28, 2009
Press Release
Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House passed Monday night several bills to support disabled veterans.The legislation provides support for family members who care for disabled veterans, increases compensation to certain veterans, and facilitates research programs at Veterans Administration (VA) medical centers."I have long believed that the cost of the war should include the cost of caring for the warrior," Welch said. "With these measures, we are providing much-needed assistance to disabled veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country, and we are recognizing the commitment of their family members and caregivers."
July 24, 2009
Press Release
The governors and the Congressional delegations of both Vermont and New Hampshire today joined together to urge the U.S. Department of Labor to move quickly to provide assistance to workers recently laid off at the Ethan Allen furniture plant in Beecher Falls, Vt.
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