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1 BIG THING: Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale
What’s happening: This week, Senate Republicans added a radical provision in the budget bill to mandate the sale of up to 3.3 million acres of public lands. Selling public lands is bad policy and deeply unpopular in the West – so unpopular, in fact, that Montana’s Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy cut a backroom deal with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Mike Lee to exempt their state.
What I believe: In Colorado, like so many Western states, our public lands make us who we are. People from across the country and around the world visit Colorado for our public lands.They must be protected for future generations.
What I’m doing: We shouldn’t auction off the inheritance of our children and grandchildren to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Throughout my time in the Senate, I have protected some of Colorado’s most important public lands, including Camp Hale, Brown’s Canyon, and the Hermosa Creek Watershed. This work isn’t finished – just last month, I reintroduced the GORP Act and the southern Dolores National Conservation Area. I will continue to stand in firm opposition to any provisions in the Republican Budget Bill that will put a price tag on our public lands.
2. Fighting to Protect SNAP
What’s happening: The Republican Budget Bill contains the largest proposed cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the program’s history. SNAP is our nation’s first line of defense against hunger – especially for children and seniors – and helps feed 1 in 10 Coloradans.
What I did: I held a virtual roundtable discussion on the importance of protecting SNAP benefits in Colorado. I was glad to speak with SNAP recipients, food retailers, farmers, and food banks, who shared how these proposed cuts would hurt families, strain food pantries, and destabilize rural communities.
What I believe: I am grateful to all those who showed up to share their personal stories and experiences. No Coloradan should have to worry about whether they will be able to put nutritious food on the table to feed their family. We must continue fighting to create an economy that grows for everyone, and that includes protecting SNAP – because food security isn’t just a moral issue; it’s foundational to work, health, education, and opportunity.
3. Ensuring Our Communities Have Access to Safe Drinking Water
What’s happening: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that over 9 million American homes get their drinking water through lead pipes, which contaminate water with toxic metals and threaten public health.
What I did: Alongside my colleague, Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), I introduced the Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW) Act to reduce the financial burden that homeowners and families face when replacing their lead pipes.
What I believe: No parent in America should worry whether their kids’ drinking water is safe. The rest of the country can learn from our success in Colorado by providing a guarantee in the tax code to expedite the removal of lead pipes in our communities.
4. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- I urged my Democratic colleagues to refuse to pass the GENIUS Act without my amendment to prevent the president and vice president from issuing stablecoins. Republicans are moving quickly to pass their so-called GENIUS Act – yet they cannot pass it without Democratic votes. I’ll keep speaking out to ensure elected government officials cannot use their public office for personal profit.
- I spoke out against Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s decision to ask states to reapply for federal funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Colorado has worked for years to expand broadband access to tens of thousands of homes and businesses through the BEAD program. This decision will waste years of work and millions of dollars.
- This week, the resolution I introduced to condemn the horrific antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. Antisemitism is the world’s oldest hatred. Congress must continue to stand with the Jewish community, for freedom – of speech and religion – and against fear. Hate has no home in Colorado.
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