Statement record

Peter Welch — Jul 12, 2023

U.S. Senator (D-VT) · Jul 12, 2023

July 12, 2023, FEMA briefing with Gov. Scott and the Vermont delegation (WAMC): Welch said he had asked NOAA about climate and this flood. “The warmer weather, particularly over the ocean, that then comes across the country means that there’s much, much more moisture in the air. So a rainstorm pre-climate change would not have dumped in some places nine inches of rain. So that is very much a climate change related situation.” Names this Vermont flood and climate causation. Criswell separately called climate a factor; that is not a Core Democratic Official. Sanders at the same briefing discussed damage and federal aid, not the climate sentence.

Analysis notes

Core senator. In-window climate yes on this flood. July 10 safety release remains event yes / climate no as a separate statement.

Codes

Disaster Mention yes — July 2023 Vermont flooding / nine-inch rainfall.
Climate Connection yes — Warmer air / more moisture; this storm would not have dumped nine inches pre-climate change.
Mentioned Republican Obstruction of Climate Action no