PRESS STATEMENT: Sen Peter Welch (D-VT) breaks promise to Vermonters, Americans, by voting with Republicans to gut bedrock environmental laws, democratic values, and public lands

The so-called "Fix Our Forests Act" removes the public from decision-making, weakens requirements for environmental analyses and protections for endangered species, and serves President Trump's agenda to increase logging by 25% in National Forests in Vermont, New Hampshire, and beyond

The "Fix Our Forests Act" greases the skids for more clearcut logging in the Green Mountain National Forest (pictured above) and around the nation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Zack Porter, Standing Trees, zporter@standingtrees.org, 802-552-0160

MONTPELIER, VT — On behalf of our thousands of supporters and members across Vermont, New England, and beyond, Standing Trees is shocked and outraged by Sen Peter Welch's (D-VT) vote in a hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, where he joined every Republican member in support of the so-called "Fix Our Forests Act" (FOFA), S. 1462. Sen Welch's "yes" vote was made despite clear, written opposition to the legislation in previous communications to constituents, and despite overwhelming concerns from millions of Americans represented by 160 of the nation's leading environmental and public interest nonprofit organizations.

In a letter to Vermonters on July 11th, Sen Welch noted that FOFA "weaken[s] critical environmental laws, like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) that could lead to increased logging and ecosystem degradation." Sen Welch added: "The Fix Our Forest Act misses the mark...I cannot support this bill as written."

No changes related to the above concerns were made in the Senate Agriculture Committee's markup of the legislation. Moreover, Sen Welch's vote betrayed other Democratic leaders on the Senate Agriculture Committee who voted "no," including Michael Bennett of Colorado, Adam Schiff of California, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Dick Durbin of Illinois. In response to questions from Standing Trees about the Senator's vote, Sen Welch's explanation indicated an awareness that none of the Senator's demands had been met. Nevertheless, Sen Welch voted to support the bill, and included justifications that display a profound lack of understanding of the science behind wildfire risk reduction, disaster management, and forest ecology.

Standing Trees Executive Director, Zack Porter, made the following statement:

"Today, Senator Welch turned his back on Vermonters and all Americans who care about public lands, endangered species, and our fragile democracy by handing more power over to President Trump and private industry. Our trust is battered and broken by the Senator's vote, and we are left to wonder who Senator Welch is bowing to. Vermonters will not forget this vote and Senator Welch will have to work hard to regain his integrity and credibility.

"Amid the Trump Administration's threats to increase logging, shut down public participation, and weaken environmental analyses in the Green and White Mountain National Forests and public lands across the nation, Sen Welch's vote today flies in the face of his claim that he is standing up to the Trump Administration's agenda, as he remarked in front of me and thousands of Vermonters at Saturday's 'No Kings' rally in Montpelier. Vermonters and all Americans deserve better."

Standing Trees' Executive Director, Zack Porter, is available for comment.

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