WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) slammed Republicans’ disastrous Continuing Resolution (CR), which would make significant cuts to vital programs and services Vermonters rely on. In his remarks, Senator Welch criticized Republicans for relinquishing Congress’ constitutional responsibilities in favor of fealty to President Trump and criticized the Trump Trade War, which will raise costs for Vermont farmers, families, and homeowners through punitive tariffs.
“These tariffs…they’re a disaster for Vermont. They make no sense. Any economist you talk to says they’re bizarre. Bizarre because of the way they’re being implemented—on-and-off again. And that’s causing real suffering to Vermont farmers, to Vermont families, to Vermont homeowners who are going to be paying higher electricity bills, higher home heating bills, higher gasoline prices—and for what? For the whim of a President,” said Senator Welch.
“We have these punitive tariffs that make no sense, that are hurting everyone that we represent. And we pass a law saying that we have to close our eyes, block our ears, and not do anything? I vote no. This charade has to end!”
Watch Senator Welch’s remarks below:
Read Senator Welch’s remarks:
“There is a reality that we’re trying to deny but is inescapable: we have a cabinet of one. His name is Elon Musk. We have cabinet officials who come before us with distinguished records and probably everything in their bones wants them to serve well. But they are under the thumb of a President who demands fealty as opposed to service to this country.
“The best example of that is what’s happened with this so-called ‘Continuing Resolution.’ Congress is abdicating its Article I authority. The so-called CR is not on the level. What this CR does is not maintain current spending on the numbers and on the directions of how it will be spent. What it does is make significant cuts, but more importantly, it delegates to the President of the United States flexibility to move money around as he sees fit. That is a total surrender of our responsibility. It’s a disgrace!
“Now, on these tariffs that my colleague spoke about—they’re a disaster for Vermont. They make no sense. Any economist you talk to says they’re bizarre. Bizarre because of the way they’re being implemented—on again, off again. And that’s causing real suffering to Vermont farmers, to Vermont families, to Vermont homeowners who are going to be paying higher electricity bills, higher home heating bills, higher gasoline prices—and for what? For the whim of a President.
“And every single one of these cabinet officers who comes in here takes the pledge: ‘Mr. President, I know it makes no sense, but you’re the President, and I adore you Mr. President, we’ll do it.’
“And, in the CR that we’re going to be voting on, there is a provision that says the United States Congress—in whom the responsibility and authority for imposing tariffs rests— cannot change the tariffs that President Trump is imposing. That is so disgraceful. It’s a total surrender of our responsibility.
“We have these punitive tariffs that make no sense, that are hurting everyone that we represent. And we pass a law saying that we have to close our eyes, block our ears, and not do anything? I vote no. This charade has to end.”
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