Peter Welch in 2022 VT Senate race
On Gun Control:
Ban assault weapons, for comprehensive background checks
Welch said even the Protecting Our Kids Act is not enough, but it is necessary to compromise to pass any gun safety legislation at all. Welch supports banning assault weapons and comprehensive background checks, neither of which are
included in the act. "Even if it's an extremely modest step--well short of the things I've supported--it's worth it to take this step now that we can and make the progress now that we can," Welch said.
Source: VTDigger on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Jun 8, 2022
On Principles & Values:
January 6th was an attack on our democracy
I was there on January 6th when the Capitol was stormed by a violent mob fueled by the former president's lies. Too many Senate Republicans stood behind him instead of telling the truth:
It was an attack on our democracy and an attempt to overturn a free and fair election. Senate Republicans continue to sow division for their own political gain instead of working together to get things done.
Source: Vermont Business Magazine on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Nov 22, 2021
On Abortion:
Steadfast advocate for reproductive rights and Proposal 5
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which struck down the federal right to an abortion, numerous VtDigger readers submitted questions on abortion.
Welch cast himself as a steadfast advocate of reproductive rights, and pledged to continue to fight tirelessly for them."I will not stop. I will not compromise on protecting reproductive freedom.
Not just for women in Vermont--I'll be voting for Proposition 5--but for all women in this nation. Your right to make your own reproductive choices should not depend on the zip code you live in," he said.
Proposal 5, which will appear on the general election ballot in Vermont this November as Article 22, would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
Pay for programs from folks not paying their fair share
Asked how he would address record inflation plaguing the country, Malloy blamed Congress' trillion-dollar pandemic-era spending packages and offered a simple solution: "Have some fiscal responsibility, stop overspending and destroying the future
for our children."Welch, on the other hand, touted recently enacted legislation to negotiate drug prices and spur semiconductor chip manufacturing domestically.
And he argued the way to get the cost of basic needs down for such expenses as child care and housing was for Congress to make renewed investments in them. "And by the way,
Mr. Malloy, we can pay for that," Welch said. "And you know how we pay for it? By asking the folks who haven't been paying their fair share."
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
On Drugs:
Legalize marijuana but not most other drugs
In the arena of drug policy, Malloy said he would "consider" legalizing marijuana for use in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Welch said he would legalize marijuana but would not support legalizing other drugs.
Malloy said he did not support safe injection sites; Welch said he would be "open" to them if they garnered support from the community.
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
On Government Reform:
Statehood for DC & PR; consider abolishing Electoral College
Asked whether they would support statehood for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, Welch said yes--if Puerto Rico wanted it. Malloy said he'd have to give it more thought but that "off the top of my head, no,
I don't think that needs to happen at this point." On the topic of abolishing the electoral college, Malloy was a straight "no," and Welch said he was "open to it," saying he would prefer majority rule.
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
On Homeland Security:
Base F-35 fighter jets in Burlington, but reduce noise
On a select few topics, the two candidates generally agreed. When asked about the controversial decision to base F-35 fighter jets in South Burlington, both Welch and Malloy said they supported it. Three years into their operation, many in the flight
path still complain of disruptions and health impacts from the noise.Welch, who supported the basing decision throughout the multi-year process, said he stood by his advocacy. "We're very proud of our National Guard. The Air Guard needs airplanes,"
he said. But he acknowledged that the planes' arrival had come with some genuine downsides for some nearby residents. "That's tough on some folks in the neighborhood. It really is. Because there is noise associated with that," Welch said. "And I've been
a persistent advocate for noise mitigation, including buying up homes at a fair price if that's what the choice is."
Malloy said the jets were "part of our national defense" and called the roar of their engines "the sound of freedom."
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
On Tax Reform:
More enforcement of taxes due from the top 1%
Malloy asked Welch about his recent support for an $80 billion increase to the Internal Revenue Service's budget and cited a recent Syracuse University study, which found that the poor are about 5 times more likely to be audited than the rich.
The cash influx is intended to fund thousands of new auditors, and the Republican asked the Democrat why, in this economy, the latter wanted to "increase tax collection on Americans."
Welch replied that the money was intended to fund audits on the rich, who are finding it increasingly easy to dodge their obligations.
"There are a lot of Americans who make an awful lot of money who aren't paying their taxes.
And I think their taxes ought to be collected," Welch said. "The estimates are [that the] top 1% are not paying $160 billion a year in taxes that they owe. Not higher taxes, not new taxes, taxes that are due."
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023