Welch Sworn in for Third Term as Vermont's Representative to Congress

Press Release

Rep. Peter Welch on Wednesday was sworn in to his third term as Vermont's sole representative to the U.S. House.

"It is truly an honor to represent the people of Vermont in Congress. It is my solemn responsibility to fight for Vermonters day in and day out, to engage them in the critical debates of our time and to do all I can to help them succeed," Welch said.

"As the 112th Congress begins, I will continue to focus on creating good jobs, getting our nation's fiscal house in order and protecting the hard-fought advances we achieved for the middle class during the past four years. When the new Republican leadership has good ideas, I will work with them -- but when they seek to roll back the progress we have made, I will fight them every step of the way."

Welch was first elected to Congress in 2006. An attorney from Hartland, Vt., Welch was elected to represent Windsor County in the Vermont State Senate in 1980 and subsequently served as Senate President Pro Tempore from 1985 through 1988 and again from 2002 through 2006.

Welch has distinguished himself in Congress as a champion for the middle class. He has fought for energy efficiency, Wall Street reform, consumer protection and small business priorities. He is married to Margaret Cheney, who represents the towns of Norwich, Sharon, Strafford and Thetford in the Vermont House of Representatives.

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