Press Release

Welch Amendments to GOP’s Budget Would Lower Costs for Families, Protect Health Care, Combat DOGE, Safeguard Federal Resources 

Feb 20, 2025

Welch filed more than 70 amendments to the budget resolution 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, filed amendments to Senate Republicans’ budget resolution which, as proposed, will cut millions in federal funds for working families to give tax cuts to the richest Americans. 

Senator Welch’s amendments to the Republican budget resolution focus on lowering costs for Vermonters, protecting access to health care, supporting rural care providers, combatting President Trump’s lawlessness and Elon Musk’s DOGE, and defending federal programs and disaster recovery resources Vermont communities rely on. 

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans are busy trying to pass a massive tax cut for their billionaire friends at the expense of hardworking families, while Democrats are working to lower costs and protect the programs and services Americans depend on. The contrast couldn’t be more clear,” said Sen. Peter Welch. “It’s an absolute disgrace that Republicans are proposing to cut Medicaid funding, kick people off their health care, and are targeting the nutrition programs families need—all to pay for their tax cut.” 

Senator Welch added: “This will be my first ‘vote-a-rama’ in the Senate, and I can already say this is the image of dysfunctional legislating. We need to return to regular order, respect the regular process, and recommit to finding common ground.”  

Senate Republicans’ proposed budget blueprint will slash Medicaid and increase health care costs for millions of seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, and people with chronic diseases in order to give tax handouts to the ultra-wealthy. Their budget will cut funding for education, scientific research, nutrition programs, and more. 

Senator Welch filed more than 70 amendments to the budget resolution, including amendments to:  

Lower Costs for Working Families:   

  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to block legislation that reduces or eliminates essential programs like Head Start, child care funding, and Meals on Wheels, which support families, children, and communities. 
  • Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit tax increases for households making less than $200,000 in taxable income and stop any legislation that will increase childhood poverty. 
  • Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and to improve rural access to nutrition programs. 
  • Senator Welch filed amendments to protect rural broadband deployment and promote internet affordability.  
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to block tariffs on energy imports, which would raise costs for consumers.   
  • Senator Welch filed amendments to ban the budget from increasing costs for American consumers by repealing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.  

Protect Access to Affordable Health Care and Prescription Drugs:  

  • Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit the reduction or elimination of funding for rural care providers, health centers, and critical access hospitals.   
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to prohibit raising the cost of prescription drugs for seniors.  
  • Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit funding for criminal investigations, prosecutions, and surveillance of women’s reproductive health decisions, including abortion and IVF, and health care providers who provide emergency medical abortions.  
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to prohibit cuts to programs that support substance use disorder treatment and prevention.  

Defend Federal Programs and Disaster Recovery Resources for Rural America:  

  • Senator Welch filed amendments to block the budget resolution from making cuts to critical agriculture programs and ensure communities have the necessary resources for disaster response, recovery and resilience. 
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to ensure USDA’s Rural Development, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conversation Service State offices operate at full capacity.  
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to support federal dairy programs and improve the resilience of U.S. food systems.  
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment that protects Congress’ constitutionally-granted power of the purse and end the Trump Administration’s illegal federal funding freeze. 

Combat the Influence of President Trump’s Lawlessness and Elon Musk’s DOGE:  

  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to prohibit the government from entering into contracts with DOGE-associated officials.  
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to require the staff and activities of the so-called “Department on Government Efficiency” (DOGE) are vetted, have proper oversight, and access to government information is restricted to those with the appropriate security clearances.    
  • Senator Welch filed an amendment to require federal agencies to fully comply with all lawfully issued court orders.  

###