Even before the current economic crisis, hardworking Vermonters were feeling the squeeze of low wages and ever-increasing costs. The United States has a long history of supporting the middle class, but we must recommit to ensuring that those who work hard to make a living have the resources they need to support their families, get ahead and save for a secure retirement. With every issue I face in Congress – from health care to education to energy – I am focused on increasing affordability and expanding the middle class.

2009

• 9/8/09 - Welch announces regional Telephone Town Halls
• 9/2/09 - Welch tackles college affordability at financial aid roundtable
• 7/31/09 - Welch supports, House committee passes health care reform bill
• 7/31/09 - Welch amendment to cut senior drug prices passes
• 7/23/09 - Welch offers amendment to require drug price negotiation for seniors
• 7/16/09 - Welch questions former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson about BOA's refusal to pay back taxpayers
• 7/14/09 - Welch calls for urgent action to address dairy crisis in testimony before House Agriculture subcommittee
• 7/13/09 - Welch unveils bill intended to increase access to credit for small businesses
• 7/9/09 - Welch fights for increased assistance to dairy farmers
• 7/8/09 - Welch votes against gutting key small business grant program
• 7/7/09 - Welch announces $100,000 grant for community policing in St. Albans
  
• 6/25/09 - Welch introduces legislation to halt oil and gas speculation
• 6/23/09 - Welch initiatives incorporated into House health care reform bill
• 6/19/09 - Welch introduces fiscal responsibility legislation
• 6/18/09 - Welch, Pomeroy introduce legislation to reward value, not volume in health care delivery
• 6/17/09 - Welch, Markey and Van Hollen introduce bill to ease gas prices
• 6/15/09 - Welch announces $114,000 grant for Winooski's O'Brien Community Center
• 6/11/09 - Welch grills Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis at Oversight hearing
• 6/8/09 - Welch efficiency program included in Senate energy bill
• 5/22/09 - Welch, Hodes introduce legislation to protect Upper Connecticut River Valley
• 5/21/09 - Welch supports, House committee passes historic climate change bill
• 5/20/09 - House sends Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights to President Obama for signature
• 5/20/09 - Welch amends climate bill to establish national efficiency target
• 5/19/09 - Welch energy efficiency program funded in latest climate change bill draft
• 5/18/09 - Welch unveils health care legislation based on Vermont model Monday in South Burlington
• 5/14/09 - House passes Welch-amended green school modernization bill
• 5/6/09 - Welch-sponsored stimulus oversight bill passes House committee
• 4/30/09 - Welch supports, House passes Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights
• 4/28/09 - Welch seeks 18 percent cap on credit card interest rates
• 4/6/09 - Welch seeks funding for 29 Vermont projects 
• 4/2/09 - Welch awarded ‘A' rating for supporting the middle class
• 3/31/09 - Welch energy efficiency bill included in House climate initiative
• 3/26/09 - Welch announces energy efficiency program to retrofit millions of homes and buildings
• 3/23/09 - Welch announces $380,000 grant for downtown St. Albans
• 3/18/09 - Welch brings Vermont voices to budget hearing
• 3/16/09 - Welch proposes national energy efficiency program to retrofit millions of homes and buildings
• 3/12/09 - Vermont receives $38 million for efficiency programs
• 3/11/09 - Welch calls for transparency in AIG's use of taxpayer funds
• 3/10/09 - Welch releases user's guide to stimulus package
• 3/6/09 - Welch seeks funding for Northern Border Regional Commission
• 3/2/09 - Welch hails fast-acting stimulus at site of first Vermont recovery project
• 2/27/09 - Welch outlines stimulus bill's impact on Vermont's green economy Friday in White River Junction
• 2/24/09 - Welch responds to Obama's address to Joint Session of Congress
• 2/24/09 - Welch hails the work of Efficiency Vermont at House climate change hearing Tuesday
• 2/13/09 - Welch votes for, House passes Obama economic stimulus package
• 2/4/09 - Welch supports, House passes SCHIP bill
• 2/4/09 - Welch lauds Obama cap on executive compensation
• 1/28/09 - Welch votes for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• 1/27/09 - Welch named founding vice chairman of energy and environment caucus
• 1/23/09 - Welch announces stimulus aid to unemployed Vermonters
• 1/21/09 - Welch supports, House passes TARP Reform bill
• 1/15/09 - TARP Reform Act will cap executive compensation
• 1/15/09 - Welch reacts to release of economic stimulus details
• 1/14/09 - Welch supports, House passes SCHIP bill
• 1/8/09 - Welch named to three Energy and Commerce subcommittees
• 1/7/09 - Welch calls on Congress to close loophole on bank bonuses
• 1/6/09 - Welch appointed to influential Energy and Commerce Committee