Senator Welch Town Hall Meeting

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC | Peter Welch, one of two United States senators representing the state of Vermont in Washington, D.C., will hold a public Town Hall Meeting at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 4 at Bennington College’s Center for the Advancement of Public Action (CAPA). The event aims to build consensus and trust among people with different political perspectives.

“This is a time of enormous political division and partisanship. But the best way to make progress is to focus on what we share, not what divides us,” Welch said. “I’m excited for this Town Hall to discuss how fighting for rural communities can help bring Americans together and safeguard our democracy for generations to come.”

Rural communities—some of which, Welch notes, are heavily Democratic while others are exclusively Republican—share similar concerns. They include limited access to health care, slow or nonexistent broadband service, and struggling family farms.

“These issues are areas where we can find bipartisan consensus and make progress on legislation, even in a time of divided government,” Welch said.

Welch stresses the importance of finding common ground.

“First, and chiefly, it’s the right thing to do. We have a moral obligation to legislate in a way that benefits all Americans,” Welch said. “Second, it’s only through finding consensus and making progress for Americans from different perspectives that we can restore faith in our institutions and give people (Republican and Democratic) motivation to protect those institutions.”

“We are delighted to welcome Senator Welch to Bennington College for this important consensus-building conversation,” said Bennington College President Laura Walker. “We look forward to robust and constructive public discourse which is at the core of a civil and vibrant democracy.”

Throughout the event, Welch will hear concerns and take questions from the audience.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our local communities to this important conversation with Senator Welch. We recognize the unique challenges our communities face and appreciate Senator Welch’s commitment to making advances on the behalf of all Vermonters,” said Susan Sgorbati, Director of CAPA.

Vermont State Senator Brian Campion will moderate the discussion.

All are welcome, and no registration is required.