# Peter Welch

Democrat Senator · VT [Official site ↗](https://www.welch.senate.gov) [JSON](https://whovotedwhy.com/data/politicians/W000800.json) [Report an error](mailto:hello@jonasneves.com?subject=WhoVotedWhy%20correction%3A%20member%20W000800&body=Row%20or%20page%3A%20member%20W000800%0AWhat%20is%20wrong%3A%0APrimary%20source%20that%20shows%20it%3A%0A)

4 press releases on AI

Data as of: votes Oct 21, 2026 · statements Oct 19, 2026 · contributions Oct 19, 2026 · super PAC spending Oct 23, 2026. [What changed](https://whovotedwhy.com/data/changes.json)

## Said and voted

### What they said

toward oversight Oct 8, 2026

Welch urges the IRS to stop Big Tech from misusing R&E tax credits to subsidize AI data center construction.

“Welch: “The IRS has a responsibility to ensure tax credits are being claimed as intended by Congress.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee and …”

[Source ↗](https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-urges-irs-to-prevent-big-tech-from-abusing-tax-credits-to-construct-ai-data-centers-protect-americans-from-higher-energy-costs/)

toward oversight Sep 24, 2026

Welch joined Democrats urging Trump to negotiate international AI safety guardrails and consider a mutual pause in frontier AI development with China.

“Senators’ letter calls for global cooperation on AI development to preserve public safety and human control WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of Senate Judiciary Subcommitte…”

[Source ↗](https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-van-hollen-and-15-senate-democrats-in-pushing-trump-to-negotiate-ai-guardrails-with-china/)

toward oversight Sep 23, 2026

Welch proposes a new federal agency with pre-clearance review, pause authority, and heavy penalties to regulate frontier AI and prevent catastrophic risk.

“Federal Digital Commission would have pre-clearance review of frontier AI models, ability to pause release without necessary safeguards, and assess civil penalties of up to 15% of a firm’s prior-year …”

[Source ↗](https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-bennet-release-proposal-to-establish-new-federal-agency-to-prevent-catastrophic-ai-risk-regulate-big-tech/)

neutral Jul 29, 2026

Welch celebrates $300 million in CHIPS Act funding for GlobalFoundries to develop technology making AI infrastructure more energy efficient and create Vermont jobs.

“WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) celebrated the announcement of $300 million in new federal funding for Vermont’s GlobalFoundries. This federal investment, funded through the…”

[Source ↗](https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-celebrates-300-million-in-new-federal-funding-for-vermonts-globalfoundries-to-help-make-ai-more-energy-efficient-create-jobs/)

Summaries and stance tags are written by a model; the release is the record.

### How they voted

NAY Sep 30, 2026

[Ratepayer Protection Act](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/c4ab5f94505ce4d8)

cloture · H.R. 9340 · Rejected 57-43

YEA Jul 16, 2026

[A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/de7744646acadb2c)

motion to proceed · S.J.Res. 198 · Rejected 46-50

NAY Jul 14, 2026

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/1582c6eb48e4c5fc)

cloture · S. 4784 · Rejected 50-46

NAY Dec 17, 2025

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/bca10742d0876330)

procedural · S. 1071 · Agreed to 77-20

NAY Dec 15, 2025

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/47dfb73a82b0a2ce)

cloture · S. 1071 · Agreed to 76-20

NAY Dec 11, 2025

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/dd1489dacf44112f)

motion to proceed · S. 1071 · Agreed to 75-22

YEA Jul 1, 2025

[To strike the section relating to support for artificial intelligence.](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/5759c87e484cf21b)

amendment · H.R. 1 · S.Amdt. 2814 · Agreed to 99-1