Those who have followed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ political career over the course of more than four decades are familiar with his progressive views. Now, as the new chair of the Senate’s influential Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, he holds unprecedented power to make good on his promises.
Welch took the oath of office Tuesday after Patrick Leahy concluded his historic 48-year career in the Senate.
U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., first entered Congress decrying Washington’s parliamentary rules and systems of seniority. Now, nearly five decades later, he exits one of the system’s greatest beneficiaries.
Exiting as the longest currently serving member of the U.S. Senate, Vermont’s retiring senior senator implored his colleagues to put aside partisanship for the sake of the country.
Friday’s letter comes after the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly last week to force rail workers and management to ratify a labor agreement, averting a worker strike that experts worried could bring nationwide economic catastrophe.
Welch’s longtime congressional aide and chief of staff of three years, Patrick Satalin, is departing the office.
“This is not a radical idea. It's a very conservative idea,” Sanders said in a floor speech on Thursday, making a final plea to his colleagues.
“As chairman of the committee, he will focus on universal health care, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, increasing access to higher education, and protecting workers’ rights on the job,” Mike Casca, a spokesperson for Sanders, said in a statement.
The Vermont Democrats won big in Tuesday’s midterms for the U.S. Senate and House. But their election night celebrations were tinged by an underlying fear for the future of the GOP and American democracy.
U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., has been elected to succeed longtime U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., whose term concludes in January.
