Impeachment activists targeting Peter Welch (Vermont)

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/24571

Impeachment activists targeting Peter Welch
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-07-11 23:53. Elections | Impeachment

By Daniel Barlow, Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER – Vermont impeachment activists said Tuesday that they will run an independent candidate next year against U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, criticizing him for not attempting to impeach President Bush.

"We're in this to win," said Dan DeWalt, a Newfane selectman who inspired a statewide movement when his town voted to impeach Bush at its 2006 town meeting. "We're going to raise money and run a statewide race."

DeWalt said the group has long been considering fielding a candidate against Welch, a Democrat in his first term, and were inspired this week by anti-war mom Cindy Sheehan's announcement that she may challenge U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California next year.

"I was talking to Cindy recently and she mentioned her possible plans to run against Pelosi," DeWalt said. "I thought this was the time for us to do something similar."

snip//

Impeachment supporters say Bush needs to be removed from office early because he allegedly has violated the U.S. Constitution and public trust by bringing the country to war with Iraq, spying on U.S. citizens without warrants and authorizing torture as an interrogation technique.

"From our perspective, there is a lot that falls short about Peter Welch," DeWalt said. "We don't think he is doing enough to save our Constitution."

[bigtree]

1. I don't know DeWalt, but I'll defend Peter Welsh

7.11.07 - Welch backs passage of largest student aid increase since 1944 GI Bill, no new cost to taxpayers

Over 10,000 Vermont students expected to benefit from estimated $44 million in new financial aid

Washington, DC - Rep. Peter Welch today voted in favor of the largest student aid increase since the GI Bill passed in 1944.


7.2.07 - Statement of Rep. Peter Welch on Pres. Bush's decision to commute "Scooter" Libby's prison sentence

Rep. Peter Welch issued the following statement in reaction to the announcement that President Bush would commute the prison sentence of "Scooter" Libby:

"The President's decision is shameful and shockingly disrespectful of the American judicial system. He has betrayed the trust placed in him by the American people, who expect their president to uphold the rule of law. And he has chosen to bow to political pressure at the expense of the integrity of our judicial system."

6.14.07 - "Work Together... to End the War"

Congressman Welch on the War in Iraq"Work Together... to End the War" - Congressman Welch spoke on the floor of the House, imploring Democrats and Republicans to work together and convince President Bush he must bring our troops home, saying, "It is not the job of our men and women in uniform to referee a Civil War."
http://recap.fednet.net/archive/Buildasx.asp?sProxy=80_hflr061407_003.wmv&sTime=00:01:28.0&eTime=00:02:33&duration=00:01:05.0&UserName=calvi&sLocation=&sExpire=1


Legislation that Congressman Welch has sponsored since being sworn into the 110th Congress that I think is significant.

2. H.RES.254 : Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1227) to assist in the provision of affordable housing to low-income families affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 3/19/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Rules
House Reports: 110-53
Latest Major Action: 3/20/2007 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 160).

6. H.RES.480 : Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2642) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 6/12/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Rules
House Reports: 110-189
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2007 House floor actions. Status: Laid on the table

11. H.R.1749 : To establish an Ombudsman in the Department of Defense to assist members of the Armed Forces seeking medical care at military medical treatment facilities.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/26/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

12. H.R.2226 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide readjustment counseling and related mental health services to veterans through the use of mobile centers.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 5/8/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

13. H.R.2257 : To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representatives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a "vet center"), to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 5/9/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/9/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

14. H.R.2258 : To direct the Secretary of Defense to ensure that every member of the Armed Forces undergoes a medical examination prior to separation or discharge, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 5/9/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

15. H.R.2259 : To ensure that members of the National Guard and Reserves are able to fully participate in the benefits delivery at discharge program administered jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide information and assistance on available benefits and other transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who are separating from the Armed Forces.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 5/9/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.


18. H.AMDT.81 to H.R.1538 Amendment requires that medical care managers and service member advocates be provided with all the resources they need to expeditiously carry out their work; and also requires the Department of Defense to conduct outreach to inform all service members and their families about the existence of and services available to them by medical care managers and service member advocates.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2007 House amendment agreed to. Status: On agreeing to the Welch (VT) amendment (A012) Agreed to by voice vote.


He also voted 'no' on the funding bill without timelines.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Sounds like he isn't responding to his constituents though

They want impeachment.

[bigtree]

3. we'll see. DeWalt hasn't been elected to anything yet

Peter Welsh wasn't elected on impeachment. He looks like he's doing what he promised when Vermonters first voted for him.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. And if he doesn't do what they want NOW

he won't get re-elected.

It's not that hard to understand.

Vermont is overwhelmingly in favor of impeachment. It's stunning that this rep refuses to act on it.

[bigtree]

5. kinda weird, isn't it, that DeWalt would assume office

when Bush is already gone? What good would he do then?

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Perhaps he would be more responsive to the constituents

which would make him a better representative, regardless of the issues at the time he takes office. Perhaps he would be a representative who remembers that he works FOR the people.

[bigtree]

8. you cited ONE issue of concern

which would be moot when he would take office

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I am guessing he is ignoring other issues as well

Is there a state in the country that is more in favor of impeachment? Yet this representative refuses to do what an overwhelming number of his constituents want. So I don't think it's a stretch to assume he is also ignoring his constituents on other issues.

[bigtree]

10. full circle

It's YOU who is ignoring his attention to other concerns. I don't think that it's a stretch to assume that you are clueless as to DeWalt's position on issues outside of impeachment as well.

[Tesha]

7. Well, we all know that third parties have won in Vermont before... (NT)

[BuyingThyme]

11. kcik