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Hello everyone,
Colorado’s mountain and rural communities, as well as those on Front Range, rely on the United States Postal Service to send and receive election ballots, Social Security checks, passports, prescription medicines, and other essential, time-sensitive mail.
For over two years, my office has received a sharp rise in complaints from Coloradans about longer delays in mail delivery and gaps in other USPS services. Communities across the state report that their Post Offices have had limited hours, hour-long lines to pick up mail and packages, and poor facility maintenance.
This week, I wrote to Postmaster Louis Dejoy about USPS’ ongoing service and delivery issues in Colorado, and invited him to visit one of our Post Offices to see these challenges firsthand. The poor and inconsistent service Coloradans are receiving not only falls short of community expectations – it violates their trust in our government.
I am hopeful Postmaster DeJoy will accept my invitation to visit a Colorado Post Office soon, as well as work to ensure that all Coloradans have accessible and timely mail delivery.
Sincerely,
Michael
CELEBRATING JUDGE CREWS’ NOMINATION TO THE FEDERAL BENCH
This week, President Biden nominated Judge Kato Crews to serve on the U.S. District Court for Colorado. I recommended Judge Crews to the White House for the position last year, and am thrilled to see him one step closer to the federal bench.
A Pueblo native, Judge Crews has demonstrated a deep-seated commitment to the law for over two decades. He has used his experience in both private practice and as a Magistrate Judge to give back to the community, make the judiciary and his courtroom more accessible, and mentor the next generation of Colorado lawyers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
With his experience, intellect, and character, Judge Crews will make a remarkable addition to Colorado’s District Court. I look forward to supporting his nomination, and urge my colleagues to quickly confirm him with a strong bipartisan vote.
ESTABLISHING A SPACE NATIONAL GUARD
Right now, more than 1,000 National Guard members perform space-related duties, and Colorado is home to more National Guard members serving space missions than any other state. When the Space Force was established in 2019, active-duty service members responsible for space missions were moved out of the Air Force and placed under the authority of the Space Force. But, no corresponding change was made to ensure that National Guard members working on space also fall under Space Force authority.
That’s why I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues to establish a Space National Guard, bringing current Air National Guard and Army National Guard members performing space-related duties within the Space Force command structure. A dedicated National Guard for the Space Force would help talented active-duty Space Force personnel transition to civilian careers, ensuring they are able to continue serving their country as well as their states.
It is critically important that our military stands ready to defend American leadership in space. By establishing the Space National Guard, we can help the Space Force retain and activate highly-skilled talent, and ensure our military is ready for the challenges of the 21st century.
ENSURING MILITARY FAMILIES DON’T GO HUNGRY
Our military families make great sacrifices to protect our country and keep us safe. They should never have to worry about being able to put food on the table – yet, many of them do.
In July 2022, the Department of Defense released a report on military hunger which found that 24% of all active duty service members experienced some level of food insecurity in the past two years. That is unacceptable.
This week, I introduced a bipartisan bill that fixes a critical flaw that keeps military families from receiving nutrition assistance available to other Americans. Our bill would cut red tape and bring us closer to ending hunger in our military altogether.
PROTECTING OUR CLIMATE
Reducing methane emissions is the fastest way to protect our climate, and this week, I led almost 80 members of Congress in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of stronger standards for methane emissions and pollution from oil and gas operations.
Colorado has led the nation in cutting methane pollution to clean our air and combat climate change, and I have consistently pushed Washington to follow our state’s lead. We made some progress on that front when we secured $4.6 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help reduce harmful methane pollution from orphaned oil and gas wells. Colorado is expected to receive approximately $79 million from that program.
A few weeks ago, I also led my colleagues in urging the Bureau of Land Management to eliminate routine venting and flaring from oil and gas operations on public and Tribal lands – practices that emit methane and other harmful pollutants that Colorado has already banned.
We must do all that we can to limit this harmful pollution and protect our health, our climate, and our communities.
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