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Both of Vermont’s senators will join the finance committee. What now?
Both of Vermont’s senators, Peter Welch and Bernie Sanders, have been chosen to join the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in the 119th Congress. The committee’s jurisdiction is defined by subject matter — not by agency or Department. Because of its broad subject matter, the Finance Committee has sole or shared jurisdiction over several agencies and offices in the U.S. government. Most matters relate to taxation and other revenue. That may include trade agreements, tariffs, government health programs, and general revenue sharing. The appointments were announced the day before the 119th Congress convened. The committee could manage hearings and negotiations involving health care costs and tariffs – which have frequently made headlines over the last month. In December, the CEO of United Healthcare was shot and killed on the street in New York. Authorities charged the accused shooter with murder and an act of terrorism. In November, President-elect Donald Trump proposed sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. Sen. Peter Welch said he planned to stand up against those tariffs in the finance committee in a statement from his office. “I’m going to stand up against President-elect Trump’s proposed tariffs—a direct tax on Vermont families—and tax giveaways to the wealthiest at the expense of working people,” Welch said. Sen. Bernie Sanders has advocated for better trade policies that benefit American workers. According to his website, Sanders supports “fundamentally rewriting” U.S. trade deals to prevent outsourcing. It did not explicitly mention tariffs. Sanders also has an extensive track record, advocating for Medicare for all, expanded social security benefits, and a tax on some of the wealthiest families and corporations — all issues he would be partially responsible for in the finance committee. Sanders also announced plans to introduce legislation to put a cap on credit card interest rates. Donald Trump proposed a 10% cap during his most recent campaign. Sanders called it a “great idea” in a social media post.”Let’s see if he supports the legislation that I will introduce to do just that,” Sanders said. Welch’s economic policy prioritizes a higher federal minimum wage and the Working Families Tax Relief Act, which expands child tax credits and offers small businesses financial relief or deductions for certain interest and investments. The senator has also advocated for legislation that would give Medicare power to negotiate lower drug prices, and he introduced legislation to lower the cost of insulin and increase cost transparency. In a statement, Welch said he was excited to work alongside Sanders and work across the aisle “in the midst of a brutal affordability crisis.” “I will use my seat at the table of the Senate Finance Committee to help level the playing field for Vermont families and all hardworking Americans,” Welch said. Welch will continue to serve on the Senate committees on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry; Judiciary; and Rules and Administration. Sanders will continue to serve on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee as a ranking member. He will lose his position as the chair, under the Republican majority in the Senate.
WASHINGTON —
Both of Vermont’s senators, Peter Welch and Bernie Sanders, have been chosen to join the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in the 119th Congress.
The committee’s jurisdiction is defined by subject matter — not by agency or Department. Because of its broad subject matter, the Finance Committee has sole or shared jurisdiction over several agencies and offices in the U.S. government.
Most matters relate to taxation and other revenue. That may include trade agreements, tariffs, government health programs, and general revenue sharing.
The appointments were announced the day before the 119th Congress convened. The committee could manage hearings and negotiations involving health care costs and tariffs – which have frequently made headlines over the last month.
In December, the CEO of United Healthcare was shot and killed on the street in New York. Authorities charged the accused shooter with murder and an act of terrorism.
In November, President-elect Donald Trump proposed sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China.
Sen. Peter Welch said he planned to stand up against those tariffs in the finance committee in a statement from his office.
“I’m going to stand up against President-elect Trump’s proposed tariffs—a direct tax on Vermont families—and tax giveaways to the wealthiest at the expense of working people,” Welch said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has advocated for better trade policies that benefit American workers. According to his website, Sanders supports “fundamentally rewriting” U.S. trade deals to prevent outsourcing. It did not explicitly mention tariffs.
Sanders also has an extensive track record, advocating for Medicare for all, expanded social security benefits, and a tax on some of the wealthiest families and corporations — all issues he would be partially responsible for in the finance committee.
Sanders also announced plans to introduce legislation to put a cap on credit card interest rates. Donald Trump proposed a 10% cap during his most recent campaign. Sanders called it a “great idea” in a social media post.
“Let’s see if he supports the legislation that I will introduce to do just that,” Sanders said.
Welch’s economic policy prioritizes a higher federal minimum wage and the Working Families Tax Relief Act, which expands child tax credits and offers small businesses financial relief or deductions for certain interest and investments.
The senator has also advocated for legislation that would give Medicare power to negotiate lower drug prices, and he introduced legislation to lower the cost of insulin and increase cost transparency.
In a statement, Welch said he was excited to work alongside Sanders and work across the aisle “in the midst of a brutal affordability crisis.”
“I will use my seat at the table of the Senate Finance Committee to help level the playing field for Vermont families and all hardworking Americans,” Welch said.
Welch will continue to serve on the Senate committees on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry; Judiciary; and Rules and Administration.
Sanders will continue to serve on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee as a ranking member. He will lose his position as the chair, under the Republican majority in the Senate.
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