On the tour, Welch will unveil the Disaster AID Act, new legislation to improve FEMA and cut red tape 

Welch to host Listening Sessions for Vermonters in Burke, Killington, and Barre 

MONTPELIER, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel across Vermont next week to discuss his new bill to fix the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Senator Welch will visit nine towns and cities—Hardwick, Lyndon, Barton, Burke, Killington, Ludlow, Weston, Barre, and Montpelier—and meet with community leaders and flood-impacted Vermonters. He will also hold Listening Sessions in Burke, Killington, and Barre. The Senator’s tour and introduction of the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act will mark the anniversary of catastrophic flooding across Vermont in July 2023 and July 2024. 

Senator Welch’s new Disaster AID Act will cut red tape and empower state and local governments, make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide assistance to small towns and communities impacted by natural disasters, and block the White House from withholding funding for disaster recovery.  

This tour is open to the media, and every stop will be considered on-the-record. Please plan to wear weather-appropriate clothing.  

LOGISTICS:  

WHAT: Senator Peter Welch’s tour of nine flood-impacted towns across Vermont and the unveiling of the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act.  

TOUR SCHEDULE: 

Tuesday, July 1: Hardwick; Lyndon, Barton, Burke 

• In the Northeast Kingdom, Senator Welch will convene community leaders to discuss the importance of supporting hazard mitigation and protecting disaster aid funding. He will also discuss the need to improve FEMA staffing issues. 

Wednesday, July 2: Killington; Ludlow; Weston 

• In Southern Vermont, Senator Welch will discuss the need to make the application and aid delivery processes more efficient and effective.  

Monday, July 7: Central Vermont: Barre, Montpelier 

• In Central Vermont, Senator Welch will meet with community leaders to discuss the importance of cutting through red tape and empowering state and local governments in the long-term disaster recovery process.  

LISTENING SESSIONS: 

Senator Welch invites flood-impacted Vermonters to join him on Tuesday, July 1 in Burke; Wednesday, July 2 in Killington; or in Barre on Monday, July 7.  

• RSVP for Senator Welch’s Listening Session in Burke 

• RSVP for Senator Welch’s Listening Session in Killington 

• RSVP for Senator Welch’s Listening Session in Barre 

*** Locations and timing provided upon request and subject to change. Space is limited. Media interested in attending these events are kindly asked to RSVP to Aaron_White@welch.senate.gov; 202-960-0677 *** 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:  

Senator Welch has been outspoken in opposing any attempt by the Trump Administration to dismantle FEMA. Earlier this year, Senator Welch published a guest essay in The New York Times entitled: “Don’t Kill FEMA. Fix It.” In his piece, Senator Welch outlined why President Trump’s actions to undermine and potentially dissolve FEMA are misguided—but also committed to working with the President on good faith efforts to reform the agency’s long-term recovery process.  

In December 2024, Senator Welch helped shape and pass a comprehensive disaster aid package, which delivered more than $100.4 billion of relief for states like Vermont recovering from climate disasters. The disaster aid package contained many of Senator Welch’s top priorities for the State: dedicated help for Vermont’s flood-impacted farmers, flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief fund, money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for businesses, among many other important provisions. 

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