Press Release

Welch to Serve as Ranking Member of Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee on Agriculture; Constitution Subcommittee on Judiciary

Jan 31, 2025

Welch well-placed to bring vital resources to rural communities, enforce and protect constitutional rights and liberties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today announced that in the 119th Congress, he will serve as Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, as well as the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. Serving as Ranking Member on these subcommittees position the Senator to continue his work addressing issues that matter to Vermonters—including supporting rural development programs and bolstering buildout of renewable energy and rural broadband, in addition to protecting constitutional rights and civil liberties. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as Ranking Member on these subcommittees to elevate the voices of Vermonters, support our rural communities, and safeguard our most important freedoms.  

“I will focus my work on the Rural Development Subcommittee on strengthening rural America’s economy, supporting our farmers, and cutting costs for families. That includes securing wins for Vermonters in the upcoming Farm Bill and fighting to restore the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is a vital lifeline that helps millions of people access and afford high-speed internet. All of us, whether from red or blue states, should agree that lowering costs and protecting our freedoms is a top priority.   

“At a time when Americans’ basic rights are under attack, I’m also committed to fighting against every attempt to undermine our constitutional protections. As Ranking Member of the Constitution Subcommittee, I’ll fight to preserve the most important pillars of our democracy, lead efforts to protect civil rights, and give the American people a more active voice in our democracy. I’ll also push back against executive overreach and any action the Trump Administration takes to undermine the separation of powers, which is vital to preserving our system of checks and balances. 

“I look forward to working across the aisle to achieve bipartisan results with Subcommittee Chairs Ernst and Schmitt to deliver results for Vermonters.” 

As Ranking Member of the Rural Development, Energy, and Credit Subcommittee, Senator Welch will play a key role in the preparation of the 2025 Farm Bill, working to deliver for Vermont families and uplift rural communities. The Rural Development Subcommittee also oversees many of the programs in USDA’s Rural Development mission area, including renewable energy, economic development, and housing, pressing issues for many Vermont communities. In his capacity as Ranking Member of the Constitution Subcommittee, Senator Welch will be a leading voice in pushing back against attempts to undermine vital civil rights protections and enforcing separation of powers.  

Senator Welch’s Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress include: 

Jurisdiction: Oversight of USDA’s Rural Development mission, including facilities, utilities, loans; Building out rural broadband; Advancing rural America’s access to affordable renewable energy. 

Jurisdiction: Constitutional Amendments; Oversight of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice; Enforcement and Protection of Constitutional Rights; Statutory Guarantees of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; Separation of Powers; Federal-State Relations; and Interstate Compacts. 

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