Peter Welch
- Previous profession
- Attorney
- First public office
- 1981Member, Vermont State Senate, 1981 to 1989, 2001 to 2007 (Minority Leader, 1983 to 1985; President Pro Tempore, 1985 to 1989, 2003 to 2007)
- Years in public office
- 33
Confirmed from the official recordSource: Congressional Directory for the 119th Congress (2025-2026), February 20, 2026. We saved our copy on October 8, 2026.
What these lines mean
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Previous profession lists the work the entry names outside public office, in the Directory’s own words. Public office here means an elected or appointed position, staff work for an elected official or a legislature, and party or campaign work.
Lifelong politician means: Congress’s biography lists no occupation outside public office. It also means the entry lists no military service. A person on our side confirms these words before they appear.
Years in public office counts elected and appointed positions only. Staff work and party work are left out. Each year counts once.
Since the current Congress began on January 3, 2025, Welch has a recorded vote on 38 laws that passed.
This record covers laws that passed. Votes on bills that did not become law are not included yet.
The record in plain language
Of the 118 laws passed since January 3, 2025, 38 came to a recorded vote in the Senate while Welch is a member. The rest passed the Senate by voice vote or without objection, which records no individual votes.
Welch votes Yes on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
On funding the government, Welch votes Yes on the January 2026 funding law for science, energy, Interior and the EPA; the February 2026 funding law for a further group of agencies; and the September 2026 funding extension, and No on the March 2025 full-year funding law and the November 2025 law that ended the 43-day shutdown.
Welch votes No on the Laken Riley Act on immigration detention; the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the 2025 tax and spending law; the HALT Fentanyl Act; the GENIUS Act on stablecoins (digital tokens pegged to the dollar); the Rescissions Act of 2025, which cancelled about $9 billion in approved spending; the defense policy law for fiscal year 2026; the Secure America Act, a 2026 budget law; and the Russia and Iran sanctions law.
Congress cancelled 24 federal rules by recorded vote in the Senate in that time. Welch votes to cancel 0 and against cancelling 24.
Welch votes differently from most Senate Democrats on 4 of 38 Yes and No votes: No on the Russia and Iran sanctions law, Yes on the February 2026 funding law for a further group of agencies, No on the defense policy law for fiscal year 2026 and No on the HALT Fentanyl Act.
Votes on laws that passed
Authorizes and expands sanctions and tariffs on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran.
Keeps the federal government funded at about last year's levels through December 11, 2026.
A package of housing measures intended to increase the supply of homes.
Gives the Department of Homeland Security extra money for border and immigration enforcement, in seven amounts that add up to $69.545 billion.
Cancels a federal order that had closed about 225,000 acres of national forest in northeastern Minnesota, near the Boundary Waters, to new mining leases for 20 years.
Cancels a District of Columbia law that changed how D.C.'s income and business taxes follow federal tax rules.
Full-year fiscal 2026 funding for a further group of federal agencies.
Full-year fiscal 2026 funding for the Commerce and Justice Departments, science agencies, energy and water programs, the Interior Department and the EPA.
The annual defense policy law.
Cancels a land agency decision that limited oil and gas leasing on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Cancels a land agency plan for northeastern Wyoming that ended new federal coal leasing in the Buffalo area.
Cancels a land agency plan for central Alaska that set aside large areas for conservation and limited development.
Cancels a land agency plan for federal lands in North Dakota that limited where coal, oil and gas could be leased.
Cancels a land agency plan for eastern Montana that ended new federal coal leasing in the Miles City area.
Cancels a land agency plan that limited oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Ends the 43-day government shutdown of fall 2025.
Cancels about $9 billion that Congress had already approved: roughly $8 billion in foreign aid and about $1 billion for public broadcasting.
Creates the first federal rules for payment stablecoins (digital tokens pegged to the dollar).
Permanently places fentanyl-related substances in the most restricted drug category, which carries the strictest criminal penalties, and eases registration for researchers who study them.
Cancels an EPA rule that had stopped certain large sources of toxic air pollution from being moved into a less strictly regulated category.
Cancels a bank regulator's rule that changed how proposed bank mergers are reviewed, restoring the earlier, faster process.
Cancels the EPA approval that let California set stricter smog-pollution limits for heavy-duty truck engines.
Cancels the EPA approval that let California phase out sales of new gasoline-only cars by 2035.
Cancels the EPA approval that let California require truck makers to sell a rising share of zero-emission trucks.
Cancels an EPA rule that tightened limits on toxic air emissions from tire manufacturing plants.
Cancels a National Park Service rule that restricted where off-road vehicles could drive in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Cancels a rule that would have put the largest digital payment apps under the consumer bureau's regular supervision.
Cancels a consumer bureau rule that would have limited overdraft fees at the largest banks and credit unions.
Cancels an Energy Department efficiency standard for commercial refrigerators and freezers.
Cancels an Energy Department rule on how appliance makers certify, label and report the energy use of their products.
Cancels an Energy Department efficiency standard for walk-in coolers and freezers used by stores and restaurants.
Cancels an Energy Department efficiency standard for tankless gas water heaters.
Cancels an IRS rule that would have required decentralized finance platforms to report their customers' digital asset sales the way stockbrokers do.
Funds the federal government through September 30, 2025, mostly at the prior year's levels, with more for defense and less for non-defense programs.
Cancels a rule that required offshore oil and gas leaseholders to submit archaeological surveys of the seabed before drilling.
Cancels an EPA rule that set up how oil and gas facilities would be charged a fee for excess methane emissions.
Requires immigration authorities to detain non-citizens without legal status who are charged with, arrested for or convicted of theft-related crimes, assaulting a police officer, or crimes causing death or serious injury.
What this member says about laws and orders
This section has two lists: statements in the official record, and excerpts from this member’s own press releases. Together they name 1 law and 1 executive order.
From the official record
Statements from the official record: Not checked yet. A statement appears here after a person reviews our account of the law or order it is about.
From this member’s press releases
From a secondary sourceThese are excerpts from press releases on this member’s official website that name a law or an executive order. We save a copy of each one.
2 excerpts
- Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027September 18, 2026
“In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the bipartisan group of Senators emphasize that the federal government should put preparation ahead of politics and fully fund LIHEAP to help vulnerable citizens, low-income households, and seniors on fixed incomes pay their energy bills: “As you know, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (P.L. 119-103)”
-
Welch Statement on Supreme Court Ruling to Protect Birthright Citizenship
“BURLINGTON, VT—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, released the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Barbara, which overturns Executive Order 14160, President Trump’s illegal attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship—a constitutional right granted under the Fourteenth Amendment:”
Member-requested spending
Congress printed 38 spending items this member requested, $59,301,000 in all, in the lists read for 4 laws.
Laws read: Public Law 119-37, Public Law 119-74, Public Law 119-75, Public Law 119-86.
| Recipient | Law | Purpose | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont Youth Conservation Corps | Public Law 119-37 | Agriculture Training and Food Security at VYCCRural Housing Service · Rural Community Facilities Program | VT | $814,000 |
| Town of Rockingham | Public Law 119-37 | Rockingham Municipal Fire Department SR StationRural Housing Service · Rural Community Facilities Program | VT | $598,000 |
| Family Service Center: Cost to Complete | Public Law 119-37 | Family Service Center: Cost to CompleteArmy National Guard | None printed | $2,000,000 |
| Lyndon Readiness Center: Cost to Complete | Public Law 119-37 | Lyndon Readiness Center: Cost to CompleteArmy National Guard | None printed | $2,000,000 |
| on STAG--Clean Water Stat Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | e VT Addison County Trust for Man Housing Commu InfrastructurEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,200,000 |
| on STAG--Clean Water Stat Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | e VT Bolton Valley Community Dev Company for C Wastewater Tr FacilityEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,000,000 |
| on STAG--Clean Water Stat Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | e VT City of Burlin End WastewateEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,000,000 |
| on STAG--Clean Water Stat Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | e VT Town of Richmo Wastewater Tr FacilityEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,350,000 |
| on STAG--Clean Water Stat Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | e VT Town of Woodst Woodstock Was Treatment FacEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,000,000 |
| on STAG--Drinking Water Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | State VT City of Burlin Burlington Dr ReservoirEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,000,000 |
Show all 38
| Recipient | Law | Purpose | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| on STAG--Drinking Water Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | State VT City of Montpe Drinking WateEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,700,000 |
| on STAG--Drinking Water Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | State VT Town of Berlin System LoopEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $600,000 |
| State, Private, and Tr Forestry | Public Law 119-74 | ibal VT Intervale Cent Intervale Con NurseryForest Serv · ice | None printed | $500,000 |
| Historic Preservation | Public Law 119-74 | Fund VT Bennington Fir CongregationaPreservation CongregationaAmerica's TreNational Pa · rk Service | None printed | $500,000 |
| Historic Preservation | Public Law 119-74 | Fund VT Town of South Historic Meet Preservation, TreasuresNational Pa · rk Service | None printed | $400,000 |
| American Association of State Climatologists | Public Law 119-74 | State Drought Plan and Flood Data GatheringDOC · NOAA ORF | None printed | $375,000 |
| Lamoille County Regional Planning Commission | Public Law 119-74 | StreamgagesDOC · NOAA ORF | None printed | $664,000 |
| Vermont Department of Corrections | Public Law 119-74 | Peer Recovery Coaches in Correctional FacilitiesDOJ · OJP--Byrne | None printed | $1,187,000 |
| Town of Hartford Police Department | Public Law 119-74 | Public Safety UpgradesDOJ · COPS Tech | None printed | $774,000 |
| Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital | Public Law 119-75 | for facilities and equipment to expand pharmacy servicesHHS · Health Resources and Services Administration | VT | $1,400,000 |
| Norwich University | Public Law 119-75 | for expanding rural nursing education and the purchase of equipmentHHS · Health Resources and Services Administration | VT | $557,000 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Public Law 119-75 | for facilities and equipment to support dental trainingHHS · Health Resources and Services Administration | VT | $4,600,000 |
| University of Vermont and State Agricultural College | Public Law 119-75 | for a rural community health worker programHHS · Health Resources and Services Administration | VT | $996,000 |
| University of Vermont Health Network | Public Law 119-75 | for facilities and equipment to improve safety and building securityHHS · Health Resources and Services Administration | VT | $694,000 |
| Spectrum Youth & Family Services | Public Law 119-75 | for school-based mental health servicesHHS · Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | VT | $250,000 |
| Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield | Public Law 119-75 | for a community-based program to reduce substance use and address mental health needsHHS · Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | VT | $373,000 |
| Craftsbury Saplings Inc. | Public Law 119-75 | to improve access to child careHHS · Administration for Children and Families | VT | $1,000,000 |
| Center for an Agricultural Economy | Public Law 119-75 | for educational and curricula purposes of a farm-to-school nutrition programED · Innovation and Improvement | VT | $100,000 |
| University of Vermont and State Agricultural College | Public Law 119-75 | for expanding education, including purchasing equipment and providing tuitionED · Higher Education | VT | $2,700,000 |
| Vermont State Colleges System | Public Law 119-75 | for education and training, including the purchase of equipmentED · Higher Education | VT | $2,500,000 |
| VT | Public Law 119-75 | Burlington--Winooski River Bridge ReplacementDepartment of Transportation · Highway Infrastructure Programs | VT | $850,000 |
| Vermont Housing & Conservation Board | Public Law 119-75 | Affordable Housing for VermontDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | VT | $12,000,000 |
| Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation | Public Law 119-75 | Brattleboro Technology and Industrial ParkDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | VT | $3,250,000 |
| Ascend Housing Allies Incorporated | Public Law 119-75 | Housing at Stonecrop MeadowsDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | VT | $5,250,000 |
| Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity | Public Law 119-75 | Home Repair and RemediationDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | VT | $2,000,000 |
| Barre City | Public Law 119-86 | Gunners Brook Floodplain Restoration and Debris Catcher ReconfigurationFEMA · Federal Assistance-PDM | VT | $591,000 |
| City of Montpelier | Public Law 119-86 | Elm Street Housing ElevationFEMA · Federal Assistance-PDM | VT | $1,458,000 |
| Town of Hardwick | Public Law 119-86 | Hardwick Flood Recovery & Resilience PlanFEMA · Federal Assistance-PDM | VT | $70,000 |
Read from the lists Congress printed for 4 laws. An item requested by several members appears under each of them, so sums across members count such an item more than once. A list the Congressional Record printed on two days is counted once, from the later printing. A requester is tied to a member only when exactly one member serving in that chamber on that day has the printed name.
Campaign promises
Promises kept: Not checked yet
Not checked yetA person has not reviewed this member’s campaign promises yet. This is what we hold so far.
- Campaign website, from the Federal Election Commission’s record: Not checked yet.Not checked yet
Online ads
No advertiser in the ad libraries we read is tied to this member by an FEC number or an exact name.
Read from Google Ads Transparency Center, its data file of October 7, 2026. Meta Ad Library: Not started. An ad counts when the library last shows it on or after January 3, 2025.
Campaign money
Campaign money:Not checked yet
No campaign money record is saved for this official yet.
Where this comes from
We saved our own copy of each official Senate vote file listed here before writing this page. A code beside a file is its fingerprint, a short code that changes if the file's contents change.
