It was like Old Home Day for U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., as he joined legislative money committees Thursday to discuss the latest on the federal Covid-19 stimulus package.
The 30 or so lawmakers looked overjoyed to see Welch, who Zoomed in from his Washington, D.C. office before he headed to the House floor to vote in favor of the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Before Welch described the latest congressional coronavirus relief package, a good portion of the hearing was devoted to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Jane Kitchel’s baking.
“Well actually I was on early when you were giving your intro and I want some of those cream puffs,” Welch said to Kitchel, eliciting a laugh. “We could use some cream puffs down here.”
Kitchel is known for her culinary prowess in the Statehouse, and when senators previously met in-person, she famously made lunch for former President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe, Sen. Richard Westman and Kitchel’s sister, former Rep. Kitty Toll.
Once they got past the puffery, Welch outlined what lawmakers could expect from the federal $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill.
Key provisions include one-time payments of $1,400 to eligible adults, funding for vaccine distribution and contact tracing, and money for reopening schools to full capacity.
Welch said there would be greater flexibility for states to use the funds — as long as the money is allocated for Covid-19-related expenditures.
Under the House bill, $960 million would come to Vermont, according to Welch. This is slightly less than the $1.25 billion Vermont received under last year’s CARES Act.
The House plans to pass the latest bill Friday and for the Senate and House to agree on the proposal by March 14, when federal unemployment benefits run out, Welch said.
A slight cough nagged Welch throughout his talk, prompting Kitchel to ask if he wasn’t “coming down with something.”
“We need some of those cream puffs,” Welch responded.
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