Becca Balint

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

in committee

Privacy Protection Updates Act

in committee

Mental Health Career Promotion Act

in committee

“Ms. BALINT. Mr. Speaker, due to a flight delay I was unable to be present on April 20, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 125. ____________________”

2026-04-21 · Government Reform

“Ms. BALINT. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present on July 14, 2025, due to weather-related travel delays. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 191; YEA on Roll Call No. 192; and YEA on Roll Call No. 193. ____________________”

2025-07-17 · Government Reform

“Ms. BALINT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of the Venerable J. Stannard ``Stan'' Baker, who passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 79. A devoted deacon in the Episcopal Church and a pioneering advocate for LGBTQI+ rights, Stan's impact on our Nation and on the Commonwealth of Vermont will endure for generations. Ordained in 2009, Stan served with distinction as Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese [[Page E654]] of Vermont and as chaplain to retired clergy. His ministry was marked by compassion, humility, and a fierce commitment to justice and healing. In every community he touched, he brought people together, building bridges of understanding and care. Before his ordained ministry, Stan excelled as a psychotherapist--co- founding BTR Psychotherapy and serving as a Clinical Director and Mental Health Director--offering vital support to individuals and families facing difficult challenges. Stan's most enduring legacy, however, is his courageous role in Baker v. Vermont. As the lead plaintiff, Stan helped secure Vermont's groundbreaking civil unions law, making it the first state in the nation to grant legal recognition and benefits to same-sex couples. This landmark decision marked a turning point in the struggle for equality--a step so bold and historic that it helped lay the legal and moral foundation for marriage equality across the United States. So many LGBTQI+ Americans today can trace their right to marry the person they love back to the courage of Stan Baker and his fellow plaintiffs, who stood up at a time when few dared to do so. His action was not only a personal stand but a transformational moment in our Nation's history--one that reshaped the legal landscape and inspired a movement. His life was also a testament to love and partnership. Stan and his husband, Peter Harrigan, were among the first same-sex couples to enter into a civil union in Vermont--and they later married. Their story reflects both the personal and political progress that can emerge from courage and conviction. Stan was much more than a public advocate; he was a lover of music, a collector of books and fountain pens, a cello and guitar player, and a person of deep faith and generosity. He is survived by his husband Peter, whose grief is shared by all of us who knew and admired Stan. Today, we remember Stan Baker--not only for the victories he helped achieve, but for the kindness he expressed, the communities he strengthened, and the hope he inspired. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring his memory and recommitting ourselves to the values he embodied: justice, dignity, and love for all. May his life continue to guide us, and may we carry forward his legacy with courage and compassion. ____________________”

2025-07-10 · Civil Rights