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Peter Welch's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Peter Welch did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • "Congress must codify the right to abortion into law. The House has passed the Women's Health Protection Act, and the Senate must do so as well. This will require the Senate to abolish the filibuster. They can and must do so without delay." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Every American should have affordable health care. Let’s get it done! Expand Medicare to cover all #MedicareForAll" (twitter.com)
  • "This morning I joined 65 House colleagues in announcing the formation of the Congressional Medicare for All Caucus. What a nice surprise it was to greet these Vermonters who travelled to DC just for this event. We WILL get this done! #vtpoli" (twitter.com)
  • "Americans across the country are speaking out and demanding action to address the crisis of systematic racism and police brutality," said Welch. "This bill is an important, concrete response to the pleas of millions of people for Congress to act. It will immediately prohibit deadly law enforcement tactics like chokeholds and will give citizens the tools to hold reckless officers accountable so that we can change the racist culture present in too many police departments. This bill is a comprehensive first step, but it is not enough. We must do more to build a more just society free of systemic racism that has held Black people down in our country for far too long." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Rep. Peter Welch on Wednesday night voted to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This comprehensive reform bill would begin to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, change the culture of policing, and hold law enforcement accountable for their actions. The bill, named in honor of George Floyd, would also prohibit controversial police tactics like the chokehold that killed him and implement other important law enforcement reforms." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7120 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "We all know our roads, bridges, rail and water systems are crumbling and outdated," Welch said. "It is long overdue for Congress to take the bold steps necessary to rebuild our communities by investing in resilient and sustainable infrastructure projects. It doesn't matter if you live in a Blue district or a Red district -- there is a universal benefit to safe and solid infrastructure. I am particularly pleased the bill includes four critical Vermont projects that will make our communities stronger now and into the future. I look forward to working with the Senate to get this bill across the finish line and to the President's desk." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Authored the Save Our Stages Act in Congress, leading the effort in Washington to provide funding to eligible live music venues, movie theaters, and performing arts organizations that were shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic. 65 grants have been awarded to Vermont venues, totalling over $29.9 million from the SBA grant program – Shuttered Venues Operators Grant – created by this bill." (welchforvermont.com)
  • "Strongly supported the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provided businesses in Vermont with more than 21,000 loans totaling upwards of $1.7 billion. The first round of PPP assisted nearly 12,000 Vermont small businesses receive grants to get through the pandemic, and helped save as many as 114,000 jobs." (welchforvermont.com)
  • "This bill will quickly provide much needed assistance to families who are struggling to make ends meet, small businesses trying to figure out how to keep the lights on, and our medical providers who are caring for our loved ones and neighbors," said Representative Peter Welch. "We have more work to do to pull us out of this unprecedented crisis, but this bill is an important step to help us get there. Vermonters know that we are all in this together." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I’ve fought side-by-side with Vermont families and advocates to cut drug prices and put an end to Big Pharma’s price gouging. The Inflation Reduction Act isn’t perfect – but it is huge progress in this fight. I'm excited to have helped pass the IRA." (twitter.com)
  • Signed Letter to Leader Schumer: "During the COVID-19 pandemic, the child care industry has faced numerous and steep challenges in their work to adequately serve the population most affected by the pandemic. Families were forced to choose between staying home to care for their children or returning to the workforce and relying on inefficient or scarce alternatives. Furthermore, as inflationary pressures increase and families face rising child care prices, this proposal will allow parents, families, and child care workers to offset part of that burden. The funding will allow those parents who have been unable to rejoin the workforce an opportunity to continue their careers, make sure that their children are adequately cared for, and support the existing child care workforce." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "We just passed the CHIPS Act. This bill will: ??Boost US manufacturing ??Create jobs across the country ??Help resolve the supply chain crisis that's driven high prices for working families. When we strengthen US manufacturing, everybody wins. I voted YES on this critical bill." (twitter.com)
  • "Signed a letter to President Biden, calling on him to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt, per borrower." (welchforvermont.com)
  • Signed Letter to President Biden: "Canceling student debt is one of the most powerful ways to address racial and economic equity issues. The student loan system mirrors many of the inequalities that plague American society and widens the racial wealth gap.10 Black students in particular borrow more to attend college, borrow more often while they are in school, and have a harder time paying their debt off than their white peers.11 They are more than three times as likely to go into default within four years on their federal loans as white borrowers12 – and face wage garnishment, tax refund withholding, and federal benefit offsets. 13 While Latino borrowers often have lower loan balances than their white peers, they are more likely to struggle in repaying their loans, and have some of the lowest post-education earnings among all racial or ethnic groups." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Cosponsored and helped pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which aims to restore much-needed protections against voting restrictions and redistricting discrimination targeting voters of color." (welchforvermont.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 - Climate Action Now Act (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We are in a climate emergency and we need to address it head on, without delay," Welch said. "Renewable energy deployment must be a central part of addressing the climate crisis to help provide a more resilient grid, create good paying jobs, drive economic development throughout the country, and support healthier communities. This legislation will put the United States on a new path to cleaner, more reliable energy to combat the climate emergency." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Enact a carbon tax or cap and trade system to cut greenhouse gas emissions" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy to create jobs, lower energy bills, and cut greenhouse gas emissions" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 - Climate Action Now Act (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will help the United States reduce its carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. It will also cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year for Medicare beneficiaries and allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, slashing the skyrocketing drug costs that have overburdened our seniors for far too long." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Enact paid parental leave and increase funding for child care" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to President Biden: “Furthermore, we cannot ignore the economic benefits of paid leave. Enacting paid leave also means that families will continue to earn some income at the very time when they need it most – when a family is growing or a member is sick and needs medical care. Workers will be able to continue to earn a portion of their wages, allowing them to continue to meet their basic needs and pay bills before returning to work. Moreover, lack of paid leave has meant that workers lose an estimated $22.5 billion in wages each year when that could have been used to keep a family afloat and spent in local economies." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Cosponsored the Lower Drug Costs Now Act to allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices with drug companies, which would lower prescription drug costs for all Americans." (welchforvermont.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will help the United States reduce its carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. It will also cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year for Medicare beneficiaries and allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, slashing the skyrocketing drug costs that have overburdened our seniors for far too long." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Now, Mr. Speaker, the issue of border security is incredibly important and we all know that, but at the eleventh hour, because we have a dispute about one element of it, is that a reason to shut down the government, when not only does it do collateral damage to lots of innocent people, but it makes it more difficult for us to resolve the underlying issue about border security?" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 15% by NumbersUSA. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "We accept the responsibility to reach consensus on a legislative solution to DACA and are determined to resolve this issue. We believe immigration reform should be bipartisan and that only an open process allowing for the best ideas from both sides will demonstrate to the American public that we can find common ground." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "President Putin's unilateral actions in Ukraine are indefensible and dangerous. By sending Russian troops to territories in Ukraine, Putin is starting a war of aggression and a war of choice, all to expand territorial Russia. It violates international law and international norms to respect sovereign national boundaries. It will not end well. War in Ukraine will lead to a humanitarian disaster and have far reaching impacts throughout the world. The U.S. and our European allies are united in an effort to implement robust economic sanctions to punish Russia for its aggression. But we must not abandon our diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of this ruinous war." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Putin and Russia will continue to face punishing and long-lasting sanctions for his unprovoked and premeditated attack on an independent Ukraine." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4695 "Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The bill also includes $13.6 billion in funding for critical military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. These funds will give Ukraine resources to help beat back Putin's war machine. This funding includes $1.4 billion to support refugees and $3.03 billion for European Command operations, personnel deployment, and intelligence." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7691 "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Close tax loophole for hedge fund managers End corporate tax inversions End outsourcing of American jobs End tax deductions for corporate golden parachutes and executive compensation" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The wealthiest Americans have avoided paying their fair share of taxes for far too long. @POTUS's plan to create a minimum tax on billionaires will make our tax code fairer and generate hundreds of billions in new revenue in the process. Let's do this." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5377 "Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 83% by Public Citizen. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "Exports from hardworking American farmers and ranchers across the country face barriers to the EU market, including high tariffs, unscientific sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and protectionist policies on geographical indications that hurt American exports not only to the EU but also to countries all over the world." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act. (justfacts.votesmart.org)

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