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Working to Find a Bipartisan Solution to End the Shutdown and Lower Health Care Costs
What’s happening: The government shut down over two weeks ago when Congress failed to pass a budget to keep the government open and prevent critical health care tax credits from expiring. Democrats have offered a commonsense plan to do both, yet Republicans refuse to negotiate and continue to push for a partisan budget that does nothing to address these issues.
What I believe: At a time when working families across Colorado are already struggling to afford basic necessities, the last thing they need is a partisan budget that fails to prevent health care premiums from skyrocketing. If these health care tax credits expire, Coloradans may be forced to choose between paying for health insurance or buying food for their children. This is unacceptable – we must find a solution.
What I’m doing: On Thursday, I voted NO for the 10th time – my third NO vote this week – against Republicans’ partisan budget bill. For as long as this shutdown lasts, I refuse to accept my own pay, and my offices will remain open to help Coloradans and process casework to the best of our ability. For resources to help during the government shutdown, please visit my website. I will continue fighting with every tool at my disposal to reopen our government and prevent health care premiums from skyrocketing for Coloradans.
2. Supporting Colorado’s Food Banks
What’s happening: Across our state, the food banks Coloradans rely on to feed their families are facing a perfect storm of rising food costs and massive cuts to federal food assistance programs. In March, the Trump Administration cancelled over $1 billion in funding for food banks and schools to make local food purchases, and $500 million for food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program. In July, Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill made the largest cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in history. Food banks are now facing record-breaking demand, but lack the funding and food they need to support hungry families.
What I’m doing: This week, I joined leaders fighting hunger across our state for a roundtable discussion about the challenges they face and what I can do to help at the federal level. As food banks serve a growing number of hungry families across our state, I will keep fighting to ensure that every Coloradan can put food on the table.
3. Demanding Answers on the Trump Administration’s Reckless Cancellation of CO Energy Funding
What’s happening: On October 2nd, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) abruptly cancelled $7.56 billion in funding for energy projects across the country, including over $600 million for 38 projects in Colorado.
What I believe: Families, farmers, and businesses across our state depend on affordable, reliable energy to power their homes, grow crops, and sustain local economies. The sudden decision to cancel these funds jeopardizes cutting-edge research and private investment in current and future energy projects across Colorado. This could raise energy costs, endanger Coloradan jobs, and make it harder for our state to secure a stable and affordable energy future.
What I did: Coloradans should not have to pay more for energy or lose their jobs as a result of this reckless decision. That is why I led my Colorado Democratic Congressional colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on DOE’s cancellation of this funding for Colorado energy projects.
4. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- This week, devastating floods damaged over 100 homes and dislocated hundreds of families in Southwest Colorado. My thoughts remain with the communities affected as they return to their homes and begin to recover. Resources for those affected by the floods can be found here.
- Open enrollment for Medicare began on October 15th and will continue through December 7th. For information about how to sign up, switch plans, or review changes to your current plan for 2026, visit medicare.gov.
- On Monday, October 13th, we celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Colorado would not be the same without the enormous contributions of Tribal communities and Indigenous cultures. We must reaffirm our commitment to support Indigenous peoples in Colorado and across the country.
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