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Fighting Inhumane DHS Policies
What’s happening: Two weeks ago, Senate Republicans refused to engage with Democrats in meaningful negotiations on reining in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a result, the Senate passed a short-term DHS funding bill that expired yesterday, February 13th. Once again, Republicans are sending legislators home without a clear path forward. Now, some of the key federal agencies that help keep us safe, like FEMA and TSA, will go without funding while the Senate takes a week off.
What I believe: Since the beginning, I have repeatedly said I was not optimistic the Trump Administration would participate in good faith negotiations. Senate Democrats are fighting for common-sense reforms to DHS, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Coloradans are demanding more from our federal government, and unsurprisingly, the Trump Administration and my Republican colleagues in the Senate have failed to come to the table for a serious negotiation.
What I’m doing: We cannot back down from the fight for real change and safeguards: preventing federal agents from wearing masks and requiring body cameras, not allowing children to be stripped from their families, and a complete overhaul of leadership and operations at DHS. None of those changes are in the legislation Republicans brought to the Senate floor last week. That is why I voted no on the Republican DHS bill.
2. Denouncing Trump Administration’s Rescission of Landmark Climate Finding
What’s happening: On Thursday, President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rescinded the 2009 “Endangerment Finding,” a scientific determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, which underpinned the federal government’s authority to limit those emissions. By abandoning the Endangerment Finding, the EPA is abdicating its duty to protect Americans' health by outright ignoring clear directives from the Supreme Court and Congress, decades of research, and the reality that Coloradans and Westerners face every day with increasingly devastating wildfires, floods, and extreme drought driven by climate change.
What I believe: We owe it to the next generation to confront climate change head-on. Instead, the Trump Administration is more concerned with playing political games rather than safeguarding lives and livelihoods in Colorado. It is more important than ever that Colorado continues to lead the nation in cutting climate pollution, advancing clean energy innovation, and driving our country toward a net-zero economy.
3. Urging International Olympic Committee to Allow Women to Compete in Nordic Combined
What’s happening: Nordic Combined, a combination of cross-country skiing and ski jumping, has been part of the Winter Olympics since the first Games in 1924. It is also the only Winter Olympic sport in which women are not allowed to compete. Recent reports have even suggested that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may remove the men’s Nordic Combined rather than include women in the event. Alexa Brabec and Annika Malacinski, both from Steamboat Springs, are sitting on the sidelines during these Olympic Winter Games as their counterparts on the men’s Nordic Combined team compete – including Annika’s brother.
What I believe: If given the opportunity to compete at the Olympics, U.S. women would be serious medal contenders. It is also concerning that the IOC may be considering removing men's Nordic Combined all together.
What I’m doing: Senator Hickenlooper and I sent a letter to the IOC urging them to support the future of Nordic Combined by allowing women to participate and compete for medals. We also called on the IOC to continue to include the sport in future winter games.
4. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- On Monday, I joined Representative Neguse to slam President Trump’s endorsement of the Nexstar Media-Tegna merger. The deal violates federal law and the national broadcast ownership cap, and jeopardizes the growth and independence of Colorado’s local news outlets. I will continue doing everything I can to oppose this dangerous erosion of one of the most essential pillars of our democracy.
- Following the announcement of 134 layoffs at the National Laboratory of the Rockies this week, I denounced the Trump Administration’s continued attacks on scientific integrity and technological advancement. I will continue fighting to ensure this world-class laboratory retains its core capabilities and unrivaled expertise.
- Want to stay up to date on my latest efforts to support Latino communities across Colorado, including on issues related to immigration? Sign up to receive my Latino Quarterly Newsletter HERE.
- This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Loveland Valentine Re-Mailing Program. Since 1946, Loveland’s “town sweethearts” have been decorating mail sent through Loveland during February with special stamps and re-mailing cards for Valentine’s Day.
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