Peter Welch

• J.D., University of California, Berkeley, CA

  1973
• A.B., Magna cum laude, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
• 1969,

• U.S. Senator

  2023–Present

  Senator from Vermont. 1 term.

• U.S. Representative

  2007–2023

  Represented Vermont (at-large district) for 8 terms.

• President Pro Tempore, Vermont Senate

  2003–2007

  Served as president pro tempore of the Vermont Senate after his 2002 reelection, leading the chamber until his election to the U.S. House.

• State Senator, Vermont Senate (Windsor District)

  2001–2007

  Appointed in 2001 to fill a vacancy in the Vermont Senate, then reelected in 2002 and 2004 representing the Windsor district.

• President Pro Tempore, Vermont Senate

  1985–1989

  Served as president pro tempore of the Vermont Senate, becoming the first Democrat to hold the position.

• Minority Leader, Vermont Senate

  1983–1985

  Led the Democratic caucus in the Vermont Senate as minority leader.

• State Senator, Vermont Senate (Windsor District)

  1981–1989

  Represented the Windsor district in the Vermont Senate while also practicing law as a public defender and later as a personal injury lawyer in a firm he founded.

Key legislative actions from Peter Welch's record in Congress.

• Lower Prescription Drug Costs

  Co-authored legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors.

• Rural Broadband Expansion

  Secured federal funding to expand high-speed internet access in rural Vermont communities.

• Energy Efficiency Advocacy

  Championed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act to promote residential energy efficiency upgrades.

• Veterans' Health Care Access

  Helped pass measures improving access to health care services for Vermont veterans.

• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary
• Senate Committee on Finance