Peter Francis Welch (born May 2, 1947) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has served as the U.S. Representative for Vermont's at-large congressional district since 2007.He previously served in the Vermont Senate from 1981 to 1989, where he had spells as the Minority Leader and President pro tempore. In 1988 he gave up his seat to run for the House of Representatives, losing in the Democratic primary to House Majority Leader Paul N. Poirier.