Welch, the Senate’s only former Public Defender, spoke on the Senate Floor last week on the successful push to avoid correct the budget shortfall of federal public defenders
Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Thursday took to the Senate Floor to celebrate his successful fight to include additional funding to support the Federal Public Defender program in the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, which was passed by Congress last week. This funding will help the Federal Public Defenders avoid layoffs and end a hiring freeze. Senator Welch also addressed the important role public defenders play in promoting the rule of law and supporting the Constitution. His advocacy will continue in the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget to provide more resources to the understaffed organization.
“For months I have been talking to many of my colleagues, highlighting that there was a funding shortfall facing Federal Public Defenders. Six months ago, it looked like federal defender offices across the country were going to 10% personnel cuts. That’s very painful cuts, and really was going to affect the quality of representation,” said Senator Welch.
“Instead, Congress acted, and Congress has basically corrected the shortfall in the final appropriations package released today. I understand that these federal funding levels will allow the Federal Defenders to avoid layoffs this year and end what had been a proposed and very harsh hiring freeze. I’m so grateful,” continued Welch.
Read and download his full remarks here.
Watch his remarks here:
3.25.2024. WASHINGTON, D.C. – US Senator Peter Welch
