US Senator Ken Salazar - Colorado
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   Greetings from U.S. Senator Ken Salazar

In the State of the Union speech last night the President touched on two important issues affecting our daily lives -- energy and health care. I have long argued that we need Presidential leadership on these issues so important to America’s families and I am glad to see the President finally addressing them. I appreciate the President’s words on these priorities, but it is actions that count. In this election year, it is even more important that the President commit to working in a bipartisan manner to meet the challenges our nation faces.

Unfortunately, the President has – yet again – left the forgotten America, rural America, completely out of his speech. There are 50 million rural Americans who face communities in decline, rising energy costs, limited access to health care, increasing law enforcement needs due to increasing Meth-related crimes, under-funded schools and lagging road infrastructure. It was disappointing that the President ignored the very people who put food on our tables, create new energy opportunities and are the backbone of our Nation.

The President also was not candid with the American people about the toll out-of-control deficits and the national debt will have on our children and grandchildren. We must impose a “pay as you go” system, for both spending programs and tax cuts. This President is simply not serious about getting our fiscal house in order, and the long term implications of his fiscal policies are staggering.

After many years of rising gas prices and an increasing dependence on foreign oil, and the neglect of the promise of alternative fuels, America must refocus on its energy future. To follow on the progress of last year’s energy bill, I am working with a bipartisan group of 10 Senators who have teamed up on legislation that provides an action plan to save 10 million barrels per day by 2026 through a mixture of alternative energy sources and new technologies. We will push our legislation, S.2025, in the next few weeks and hope the President joins us in our efforts. Alternative energy will be a cornerstone of our future energy independence and will bring more jobs and opportunities to rural America.

Today, nearly 800,000 Coloradans are without health insurance and insurance premiums for families are up nearly 60% since 2000. We need a candid and comprehensive appraisal of our Nation’s health care system and I fear that the President’s ideas are not bold enough to meet the challenges we face. We need to address rising health care costs and possible solutions including the feasibility of health savings accounts, but we must be careful not to shift the burden of those costs onto the poorest Americans. I have teamed up with Senator McCain to create a Health Care Commission to identify and implement the best ideas that will provide real solutions for the millions of Americans trapped in this Nation’s health care crisis.

I support the President in his fight to keep our homeland safe from terrorists although I remain committed to striking the proper balance between providing tools for law enforcement and protecting the constitutional rights of Americans. As a member of a bipartisan group of Senators known as the “Safe Act 6,” I will continue to work with and urge my colleagues to seek this balance. The PATRIOT Act must be reauthorized without sacrificing either the security Americans deserve or the liberties they cherish.

The President must be willing to take real steps to address these major problems. He must reach across the aisle and act in a truly bipartisan manner. I look forward to hearing the President’s concrete proposals in the coming weeks and hope we can all work together to solve these issues so crucial to our Nation’s future.

Sincerely,

Ken Salazar
U.S. Senator


Working for Colorado

Bipartisan Coalition Urges President to Support Legislation to Reduce America’s Dependence on Foreign Oil

Sen. Salazar Reacts to President’s State of the Union Address

Sen. Ken Salazar Releases Statement on the Passing of Coretta Scott King

Sen. Salazar Helped Convene Gang of 14 to Ensure Continued Bipartisanship

Sen. Salazar Urges President to Lead in Resolution of American Health Care Crisis


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Senator Ken Salazar's DC office is located at 702 Hart Senate office building, Washington, DC 20510. He has Colorado regional offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Ft. Morgan, Pueblo, Durango, Grand Junction and Alamosa. For contact and mailing info, click here.


    

 

 


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Greetings from U.S
Senator Ken Salazar

Working for Colorado

  

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