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Hello everyone,
You wouldn’t be able to tear up your water bill when it arrives at the end of the month after using a month’s worth of water. But when politicians in Washington threaten to allow the United States to default on its debt, they’re effectively tearing up the bill when it’s due.
When the federal government shirks its obligations to pay its debts, the consequences are disastrous: over 8 million Americans could lose their jobs, the unemployment rate could spike to almost 9%, and our economy could shrink by 6 percent. As Coloradans struggle with inflation and high energy costs, this is unimaginable.
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Even just the threat of default could cost our economy. The average worker close to retirement could lose as much as $20,000 from their savings, and in Colorado, this political brinkmanship could cost new homeowners an average of $240 on their mortgage payments each month.
The debt limit does not determine how much our country spends or how much we raise in revenue. It has nothing to do with fiscal responsibility. Raising the debt limit merely allows the United States to pay bills we have already incurred. Threatening to default on our national debt is completely irresponsible, and I’ll work with anyone in Congress to make sure it does not happen.
- Michael
IMPROVING PAY AND SUPPORT FOR WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS
What’s happening: As climate change fuels increasingly severe fires in Colorado, we rely on wildland firefighters more and more to prevent megafires and protect homes and communities.
What firefighters deserve: Even though they put their lives on the line, wildland firefighters are sometimes paid less than $20 per hour. On top of poor pay, they currently lack access to mental and physical health services and don’t receive the support they need for housing. These brave first responders deserve better pay and support.
What I’m doing: This week, I introduced a bill to increase wildland firefighters’ pay, ensure they get time to rest and recover, and provide support for their housing, education, and health.
MAKING SURE THE GOVERNMENT USES NEW TECHNOLOGY RESPONSIBLY
What’s happening: Businesses, schools, and governments are rapidly integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and quantum computing into their operations. This technology has enormous potential, but we need to make sure if the federal government is using it, it is doing so while respecting Americans’ right to privacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and due process.
What I’m doing: Last month, I introduced a bill to review existing policies throughout the federal government relating to its use of AI, and this week, I introduced another bill that requires federal agencies to have a senior official in place to oversee the government’s use of new technology.
HELPING COLORADO SUPPORT MIGRANTS
What America needs: It’s critically important for the U.S. to secure our southern border and address our broken immigration system. For over a decade, I have been committed to finding a bipartisan, functional, and responsible solution that reflects American values.
What’s happening: Over the last few months, the state of Colorado and the city of Denver have experienced a significant increase in migrants coming from the southern border. Since December, they have spent over $24 million to meet the humanitarian needs of migrants arriving in Colorado – straining local resources with very little funding support from the federal government.
What I’m doing now: This week, I urged the federal government to cover Colorado’s and Denver’s expenses of sheltering and supporting newly arrived migrants. I also urged them to temporarily allow migrants to work so they can support themselves as their cases are processed, which will minimize the cost to Colorado taxpayers.
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