The Food Safety Enhancement Act (H.R. 2749) would prevent food-borne illnesses by increasing the number and scope of food inspections – but would do so at the expense of small food producers. The bill unfairly subjects Vermont farmers, maple syrup producers and cheese-makers to the same $500 annual registration fee as large, multi-state agri-businesses.

America's Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) will expand health insurance access to 37 million Americans, rein in unsustainably escalating health care costs and ensure long-overdue insurance reforms. The bill increases patient choice by creating a public health insurance option, which will reduce costs through competition with private insurers.

Welch's measure amends America's Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200), comprehensive health care reform legislation that could be passed by the committee later Friday. The amendment will cut prescription drug prices for Medicare Part D participants by requiring HHS to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies.

Delegation Nets Quick Results In All-Out Push For Boost In Dairy Price Supports

 U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Friday welcomed a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to lift the floor price for dairy products.

The decision was announced two days after the Vermont senators and a coalition of more than two dozen senators from other dairy states met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The meeting and the multi-region coalition of senators were organized by Leahy, the senior-most member of the Agriculture Committee, to seek a short-term hike in the price the federal government pays for milk and dairy products in the marketplace.  Leahy and the coalition also followed through with an appeal to White House Budget Director Peter Orszag.