A message from Senator Michael Bennet

A Note from Me: 

On Monday, former Mesa County Clerk, Tina Peters, was released from prison after having her sentence commuted by Governor Jared Polis. 

Tina Peters’ release does not change the facts of her case, nor does it change our obligation to defend our democracy. At a time when President Trump continues to attack mail-in voting, undermine confidence in our elections, and pressure public officials to bend to his political agenda, we must be even more vigilant in protecting the rule of law and the integrity of our electoral system.

Colorado’s gold-standard elections are among the most secure, accessible, and trusted in the nation in part because election workers, county clerks, and public servants follow the law. A jury convicted Tina Peters. An appeals court upheld those convictions. Coloradans should not be forced to subsidize anyone, especially Peters, who knowingly violated election security laws and betrayed the public trust. I will keep fighting to protect our democracy and stop Trump’s taxpayer-funded slush fund before a single dollar is paid out.

2. Continuing to Push Back on Trump’s Slush Fund

What’s happening: Last Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund." Although Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the administration was not moving forward with the Fund, Trump implied on Wednesday that he was unsure if the fund was truly dead and that he felt it was “so important.” Blanche also confirmed a related agreement preventing the Department of Justice (DOJ) from bringing any action or pursuing any tax audit into previous returns filed by Trump, his family members, or affiliated companies remained in effect – an unprecedented agreement that appears to violate the law and longstanding policy. 

What I believe: We need to stop Trump's corrupt DOJ deal that protects him and his family from tax audits and ensure no future administration can abuse their office in the same way. Whether it's election deniers or a President who thinks the rules don't apply to him, I'll keep fighting lawlessness and defending the rule of law.

What I’m doing: On Wednesday, I filed amendments as part of the Senate’s budget reconciliation process to eliminate the "Anti-Weaponization Fund," block Trump's corrupt DOJ settlement that shields him and his family from tax audits, and prevent any future administration from creating similar schemes. I also sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Internal Revenue Service Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano demanding answers on Trump’s tax audit settlement. This corrupt behavior from our President cannot be tolerated, and I will keep working to hold this administration accountable. 

3. Calling Out Trump’s Continued Attacks on Mail-In Voting

What’s happening: Last Friday, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) proposed a rule that would implement part of Trump’s executive order attacking mail-in voting, which he signed in March. 

What I believe: Trump’s executive order is blatantly illegal. Instead of working to expand access to the ballot and make it easier for Coloradans to vote, Trump and his appointees have focused on dismantling mail-in voting – a core part of Colorado’s electoral system that Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters all strongly support. Colorado has spent years building one of the most secure, accessible, and trusted election systems in the country. We are not going to let Trump and his allies undermine it for their own political purposes. Only the states and Congress can change the electoral process.

What I’m doing: On Friday, I released a statement calling out this proposed rule from USPS. I also joined Senators John Hickenlooper, Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and 35 of our colleagues to introduce the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act to block Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional executive order in April. I will continue to fight to ensure this rule does not go into effect, and Coloradans can continue to vote-by-mail as they have for years.

4. Fighting to Protect NCAR

What’s happening: On Monday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to prevent the ownership transfer of the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s (NCAR) Wyoming Supercomputing Center to a new operator. This ruling is a major victory against the Trump Administration’s reckless attempt to dismantle NCAR, the world’s premier institution for weather research. The work done at NCAR forms the backbone of our nation’s weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, water planning, wildfire prevention, and aviation safety.

What I believe: Monday’s ruling is a critical step forward for science, the hundreds of public servants at NCAR, public safety, and Colorado. The judge made it clear: the Trump Administration’s actions were a politically motivated attempt to attack an institution vital to protecting our communities and fulfilling the National Science Foundation’s mission. I am glad to see the courts stand up to this President and his administration, and I will continue fighting to protect this vital Colorado research center and defend the independence of American science.

What I’m doing: On Monday, I released a statement following a federal judge’s preliminary injunction preventing the ownership transfer of the NCAR Wyoming Supercomputing Center to a new operator. I have fought efforts to dismantle NCAR every step of the way, leading 80 bipartisan lawmakers in formally opposing these structural changes and even blocking the Senate appropriations process to demand full funding of NCAR. I will continue to defend the scientists and public servants whose work keeps our country safe and competitive.

5. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

• I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sergeant Devin A. Seibel, who died in the line of duty in Iraq. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and his fellow soldiers at Fort Carson. Our nation is grateful for and will not forget his service and sacrifice.
• On Monday, I led members of the Colorado delegation – including U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Brittany Pettersen, Jason Crow, Jeff Hurd, and Diana DeGette – in welcoming the Small Business Administration’s release of more than $1.8 million in spending authority for the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Colorado small businesses fought hard to secure these funds in order to help stay afloat amid Trump’s tariffs, rising energy costs, and inflation. This spending authority will support critical small business development, which is essential to Colorado’s economy and the success of local and rural communities. 
• On Thursday, I joined U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen and the Colorado Democratic delegation in a letter to Trump demanding answers about his administration’s plan to lower gasoline prices, which the President spiked by launching his reckless war with Iran. On Memorial Day, Colorado ranked as one of the 10 most expensive gasoline markets in the nation, with prices surpassing $4.30 per gallon — an increase of 50 percent from before Trump launched his war. Coloradans need details about how Trump intends to deliver relief as families are being crushed by rising costs. 
• One year ago today, a horrific antisemitic terror attack devastated Boulder's Jewish community. We mourn Karen Diamond and remember the countless lives forever changed by this act of hate. We must stand united against the unprecedented surge in antisemitism – with the Jewish community, for freedom of speech and religion, and against fear. We must fight for a nation where all people can protest peacefully and practice their faith free of hate. Hate has no home in Colorado.
• On Tuesday, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, which I introduced in the Senate, passed the House. This bill would transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir and the associated dam and water infrastructure from the U.S. Forest Service to the City of Ouray, which would allow the city to make important dam safety repairs to the currently failing infrastructure. The City’s water supply, public safety, and hot springs depend on Crystal Reservoir, and this is an important step forward. 
• On Tuesday, Trump named Bill Pulte, Chief of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as Acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte has zero intelligence experience and has manufactured absurd investigations against the President's political opponents. He has no business leading our Intelligence Community. Handing Bill Pulte the keys to our deepest, most sensitive national security secrets is reckless and dangerous. I will do everything in my power to fight his appointment.

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