By Erin Kelly
Free Press Washington Writer

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., has introduced more legislation than any other House freshman this year.

In less than nine months in office, Welch introduced 29 bills, resolutions and amendments, far outpacing the 53 other House members elected for the first time in November, according to a search of the Library of Congress' Thomas online legislative Web site.

Freshmen averaged about nine bill introductions per lawmaker, making Welch's total more than three times the norm.

More important, the 60-year-old Vermonter already has won House approval for 15 bills -- slightly more than half of his legislation. Among bills that passed were a measure to provide mental health services to veterans in rural areas through the use of mobile medical centers and an amendment to encourage schools to serve food from local farmers.

Political experts say Welch's strong start is a result of his legislative experience in Montpelier, where he served as president pro tempore of the Vermont state Senate.

"I think what we're seeing is his leadership experience showing through," said Eric Davis, a professor of political science at Middlebury College. "He obviously likes the nitty-gritty of legislating."

Welch said it also helps that he was given a coveted seat on the House Rules Committee, which decides which bills and amendments come to the House floor for a vote.

"The chairman of every House committee comes before the Rules Committee and I have an opportunity to meet them, interact with them and then play a major role in the consideration of their legislation," he said. "That doesn't guarantee that you're going to get your bill through their committees, but it does help you get their attention."

When House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., came before the Rules Committee, Welch was able to pitch him an amendment that would give grants to Vermont colleges to invest in clean, efficient energy systems to reduce global warming. Dingell advised Welch on how to change the legislation a bit to get it through the energy committee and onto the House floor, where it passed.

Welch said he knows that as a freshman he can't play the lead role on big, sweeping legislation such as major health care reform. Instead, he has tried to come up with small, pragmatic bills that have bipartisan support and can have a big impact in Vermont.

Many of his ideas come from Vermonters, Welch said.

Rutland Regional Medical Center officials spurred Welch to introduce legislation to prevent $35 million in Medicare cuts to hospitals. Welch's amendment, approved by the House, would stop a proposed rule by the Bush administration to cut federal Medicare reimbursements to hospitals beginning in October. The result would have been an increase in medical costs for patients, Welch said.

"Rutland hospital brought the problem to my attention and we were able to find a solution," Welch said. "It was just a small amendment to a big spending bill, but it will save Vermont hospitals $35 million, which means a lot to them and their patients."

Welch said he hadn't realized he was leading his freshman class in the number of bills introduced and is not trying to set any records.

"I think the mere fact that you've introduced a lot of bills is not significant," he said. "It's more important to get results."

Contact Erin Kelly at ekelly@gns.gannett.com.

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On the Web:

www.welch.house.gov, Rep. Peter Welch.

http://thomas.loc.gov, Library of Congress' Thomas legislative database.

Congressional moves
A look at some of freshman Rep. Peter Welch's bills that have passed the House this year.

VETERANS: Provides mental health services through mobile medical centers that visit rural areas in Vermont and throughout the nation. Welch said he got the idea from Vermont veterans.

ENERGY: Authorizes House members to use part of their office funds to become more energy-efficient and reduce global warming. Establishes a grant program for colleges to invest in sustainable energy projects. Expands federal assistance to energy-efficient small businesses. Requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider global warming science in creating its flood-risk maps.

MEDICARE: Prevents $35 million in Medicare cuts to Vermont hospitals by stopping a proposed rule by the Bush administration to cut federal Medicare reimbursements to hospitals throughout the nation beginning this fall. Welch said he got the idea from Rutland Regional Medical Center officials.

FARMERS: Provides federal funds to schools to serve locally grown foods whenever possible. Welch said he got the idea from local education and farm groups.

EDUCATION: Provides additional federal training and support to rural Head Start programs that benefit preschool children from low-income families.

STAFFORD RECREATION AREA: Renames Vermont's White Rocks National Recreation Area in honor of the late Sen. Robert Stafford, R-Vt., who was known for his strong interest in environmentalism. The legislation also passed the Senate, and President Bush signed it into law.