WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today joined his colleagues on the Senate floor to slam President Trump’s Executive Order declaring a national energy emergency, which will kill jobs in the clean energy sector that are vital to producing less expensive power. In his remarks, Senator Welch highlighted how the President’s Executive Order undermines Congress’ authority and the system of checks and balances. 

“There’s only two explanations that explain the actions of the administration. One is they just favor fossil fuels, no matter what. A lot of truth to that. The other is there’s a lack of confidence on the administration about the capacity of the American people, the American innovators, the American entrepreneurs to take full advantage of solving the issue of climate change by building out clean energy by doing efficiency. That really, really works. And you know, a confident person, a confident country, doesn’t deny problems exist. They acknowledge them, face them squarely, and then solve them. And in the process of doing that, they all end up better and you have a stronger economy as well,” said Senator Welch.  

“So, there is no emergency. We must stand first for the separation of powers and the authority of Congress and not allow us to be stripped of that by an executive. And second, we have to have a wise policy that is going to create jobs to be sustainable for our economy and for our future.” 

Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 

Read the Senator’s remarks as delivered here. 

Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

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