Senator Welch to Chair Agriculture Committee’s Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee, Announces Additional Subcommittee Assignments for 118th Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  
February 24th, 2023  

CONTACT:   
Emily Becker, 202-740-8072  

Senator Welch to Chair Agriculture Committee’s Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee, Announces Additional Subcommittee Assignments for 118^th Congress 
Welch well-placed to bring vital resources to rural communities and support Vermont farmers

WASHINGTON – Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) today announced that he will chair the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee during the 118^th Congress. Sen. Welch will also serve on additional influential subcommittees on the Agriculture, Judiciary, and Commerce committees, including the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, & Consumer Rights, and the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing.  

“Vermont families are facing an affordability crisis, with housing in short supply and high costs for essentials like prescription drugs and health care. Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, you’re affected by these challenges, and you deserve support from Washington,” said Senator Welch. “In my role as chair of the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee and through my other subcommittee assignments, I’m committed to strengthening our rural communities and cutting costs for working families.” 

These subcommittee assignments position the Senator to continue working to address issues that matter to Vermonters, including fighting climate change, expanding broadband access, and pushing back against corporate consolidation and market abuse.   

As chair of the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee, Senator Welch will play a key role in the preparation of the 2023 Farm Bill, working to deliver for Vermont families and uplift rural communities. The Subcommittee on Rural Development oversees many of the programs in USDA’s Rural Development mission area, including renewable energy, economic development, and housing, pressing issues for many Vermont communities.  

A full list of Sen. Welch’s committee and subcommittee assignments is included below.  

Senator Welch Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the 118^th Congress 

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 

• Rural Development and Energy, Chair 
• Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources 
• Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security 

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

• Communications, Media, and Broadband
• Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security
• Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing 
• Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports 

Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

• Competition Policy, Antitrust, & Consumer Rights 
• Immigration, Citizenship, & Border Safety 
• Intellectual Property 
• Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, & Federal Rights 
• Human Rights & the Law 

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration 

United States Joint Economic Committee 

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