The U.S. House is still deliberating a bill that would modernize
electronic intelligence gathering laws and give immunity to
telecommunications companies that provided data to the government with
out warrants. Congressman Peter Welch joins us on Vermont Edition to
discuss this bill, and other issues before Congress — including what he
calls the "middle class issues" of gas prices and mortgage trouble.
Plus, we hear Welch’s take on the Tuesday primaries and how his support
for Barack Obama lines up with other Vermont Democrats.
Comments from listeners for Rep. Peter Welch:
Rick in Springfield:
Congressman Welch, I totally support both the lawsuit and your legislative attempt to force EPA to allow implementation of the stricter emission standards – go for it! I would also support a new energy "addendum" bill to make the California standards the national standards, and to support alternative energy and reinstate tax credits left out of last year’s bill.
Liston from Orleans:
More than 30 Vermont towns, including Hartland, have passed a resolution calling for impeachment. A survey by WCAX-TV last year found 61 percent of Vermont voters favor bringing impeachment proceedings against President Bush, while 67 percent favor proceedings against Dick Cheney. I believe the country is facing a constitutional crisis challenging the authority of the legislative branch, which can only be resolved through impeachment, and I would like for you to clarify your position on the matter.
Listener named Robert:
I would like to understand your reasoning for not voting in favor of making English the official language for our country. By far and away the large majority who voted against this were Democrats. It is costing the country millions if not billions of dollars to teach school, print all kinds of government and state forms and road signs, provide interpreters, etc, in the native languages of our legal and illegal immigrants without helping them integrate and become effective citizens. We should use the money that is being spent in this manner to help them learn English. This would be half as expensive and facilitate better integration into our democratic society. No one is preventing immigrants from using their native language but to become citizens they must learn English and that is where we should be spending our dollars.