|
Hello everyone,
The Senate reconvened in Washington this week and got right to work on a number of issues—from a new COVID-19 package to defense spending to public lands legislation.
My recent meetings in Colorado have underscored the profound mental, physical, and economic stress of the pandemic on so many workers and families. It was a powerful reminder that Washington must do far more to help. So I wanted to take the time to outline some of the priorities I’m fighting for in the upcoming relief package. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but these four priorities would make a huge difference in the lives of millions of Coloradans—especially those relying on unemployment benefits, small business loans, and public health services.
What else is on your mind as you and your family navigate the pandemic? My team and I would love to hear from you. You can write to our office on our website any time.
Have a good weekend.
Best,
Michael
FIGHTING FOR COVID-19 RELIEF
We’ve begun negotiating the next COVID-19 relief package in Congress, and I’m pushing for the inclusion of new programs and funding to help Colorado’s workers and families stay healthy and secure during this pandemic. Here are my four big priorities:
Expanded Unemployment Insurance: Today is the last day for workers to qualify for extended unemployment benefits—the $600 weekly benefit that has supported 400,000 Coloradans during this crisis and put $2.5 billion into our state’s economy. It is shameful that Congress left town without reaching a solution, like my proposal to extend this benefit and tie it to the health of the economy, so that it remains in place for as long as it’s needed, but not beyond that.
RESTART Act: PPP loans were a good start, but they haven’t worked well enough for small business owners in Colorado. My RESTART Act is the only bipartisan proposal that looks beyond PPP to help the hardest-hit small- and mid-sized businesses stay afloat through the end of the year with a flexible loan program.
State and Local Funding: We need to increase funding so local governments aren’t forced to lay off teachers, police officers, and fire fighters, or shortchange critical repairs to our roads and bridges. This includes at least $500 billion for states and $250 billion for local governments.
Health Force: A national Health Force would recruit and train hundreds of thousands of young people, who are currently out of work, as case managers and contact tracers, to boost our public health infrastructure and tackle this pandemic.
STRENGTHENING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY
As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I worked to include several key programs in this year’s annual defense bill to help our military respond to the ever-changing national security and defense challenges facing our nation.
The bill will strengthen our nation’s artificial intelligence capabilities, setting the standard for next generation technologies. It will drive tech-based small business innovation, especially for local businesses with defense contracts in Colorado. It will also outline a strategy to ensure we retain women in the armed forces.
PROTECTING OUR PUBLIC LANDS
This week, the House passed the Great American Outdoors Act—which puts it one step closer to becoming law so we can finally make the critical investments our forests, parks, and public lands need and deserve.
In Colorado, our public lands are essential to our way of life and critical to our economy. This bill is possible thanks to all the Coloradans who worked tirelessly over the last decade to make full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund a reality. In addition to this win, I’ll keep fighting to pass the CORE Act, which would protect recreation, wildlife, and wilderness areas in Colorado.
MAKING IT EASIER FOR STUDENTS TO VOTE
The pandemic has forced many colleges and universities to close their campuses, dislocating millions of students nationwide and complicating questions about where and how they will vote. This could leave about 20 million voting-eligible college students without plans to register and cast their ballot in the upcoming elections.
We cannot allow the pandemic to keep millions of students from exercising their fundamental right to vote and shape our future in this democracy. So this week, I introduced the National Emergency Student Vote Act, which calls on America’s colleges and universities to fulfill their civic responsibility in this difficult time to help students access the voter registration forms, absentee ballot applications, and other resources they need to cast their ballot in the 2020 elections.
KEEPING THE CENSUS FAIR AND EFFECTIVE
This week, President Trump called on the Census to exclude undocumented migrants for purposes of deciding how many members of Congress are apportioned to each state.
Just like the Trump Administration’s attempt in 2019 to add the citizenship question to the Census, which was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court, this is another cruel attempt to stoke fear and deprive communities across the country of much-needed federal resources. I’ll keep pushing back to ensure this year’s Census is fair and accessible for everyone in our country.
Click here to respond to this email.
 
Unsubscribe |