Michael F.Bennet

All Accomplishments

                  On January 22, 2009, Michael F. Bennet was officially sworn in as Colorado’s thirty-seventh United States Senator. He has not wasted a moment in the weeks and months since, visiting with people in all of Colorado’s sixty-four counties and fighting every day to create a better future for all Colorado families.

                  Fighting for Colorado Families: A Year in Review serves as a snapshot of Michael’s work in the U.S. Senate one year since entering into office. It is intended to serve as a source of information on Michael’s ongoing efforts on behalf of Colorado’s working families.

                  The Review is organized by several issue areas important to Colorado, ranging from Michael’s efforts to create jobs and growing Colorado’s economy to his work to protect Colorado’s land, water and natural heritage. A list of the issue areas with relevant highlights is included below:

Fighting for Colorado Families
As Colorado’s U.S. Senator, Michael’s top priority is to fight for Colorado families. He takes seriously his obligation to respond to the needs and concerns of Coloradans, lending a helping hand whenever and wherever possible to ensure the federal government gives folks in our state a fair shake.

• Opened 1,000 + cases on behalf of Coloradans looking for help navigating federal bureaucracy
• Received and responded to over 150,000 letters from Coloradans
• Issued nearly 200 letters supporting federal grants applicants from entities all across the state

Job Creation and Economic Recovery
In his first year in office, Michael has worked hard to grow the Middle Class, promote job creation, support small businesses and entrepreneurs, and lay a new foundation for a stronger, more secure American economy for generations to come.

• Supported Swift, Bold Action to Stabilize U.S. Economy
• Pushed Increased Lending to Colorado Small Businesses

Bringing fiscal responsibility back to Washington
If folks in Colorado are tightening their belts and cutting back on their spending, Congress should do the same. Michael has helped lead the charge to restore fiscal discipline in Washington. Over the last year, he has made reducing our deficits and debt a top priority, and he will continue those efforts to make sure Washington doesn’t neglect its obligation to live within its means.

• Authored Plan to Reduce the Debt, Limit Growth in Spending, and Put Nation’s Fiscal House in Order
• Introduced Legislation to Stop Washington from Digging Itself Further Into Debt

Promoting a strong, smart approach to national security
We live in a time of unprecedented challenges, both at home and across the globe. The stability and security of our country depends on our ability to take a new approach to these challenges using the strength of our military, the power of diplomacy, and the wisdom of our people.

• Fought to Strengthen Colorado’s Military Installations
• Pushed a Common-Sense Approach to Immigration Reform

Renewing our commitment to America’s veterans & military families
Our freedom does not come without a price - it is paid for by the brave and selfless service of America’s military men, women and their loved ones. Michael is doing his part to ensure a grateful nation keeps its promise to America’s military veterans from the day they enlist to the day they are proudly laid to rest.

• Fought to Improve Access, Quality of Health Care for America’s Veterans
• Fighting for National Veterans Cemetery in Southern Colorado

Fighting for Colorado’s land and water
Colorado is blessed with a natural heritage unlike any other state in the nation. Michael believes we are not owners of the lands but stewards tasked with the responsibility to protect and preserve this heritage for generations of Coloradans to enjoy.

• Fought to Protect and Preserve Colorado’s Natural Heritage
• Pushed to Improve Delivery of Clean Drinking Water for Colorado Communities

Providing affordable, quality health care for Coloradans
Over the past year, Michael has worked to enact meaningful health care reform that lowers costs, increases consumer and small business choice, and makes insurance industry practices like denials based on pre-existing conditions a thing of the past - without adding a dime to the deficit.

• Fought to Expand Access to Health Care for Kids
• Pushed to Improve Access to and Quality of Health Care in Rural Areas

Sensible protections for Colorado consumers
In his short time in Washington, Michael has fought to promote greater transparency and accountability to put consumers and credit card companies on a level playing field, giving hardworking families the benefit of a fair shake in these difficult economic times.

• Stood up Against Unfair Treatment by Credit Card Companies
• Fought to Stop Last-Ditch Efforts to Jack Up Credit Card Rates

Preparing our Kids for the New Economy
Over the past year, Michael has been a leader in the Senate in pushing for common sense education reform that puts kids first. He supported the biggest federal investment in public education, and we have seen results with unprecedented reform. Michael has also fought to ensure that students in Colorado can afford and complete college.

• Leading on education reform
• Protecting student loans

Increasing investments in clean, American energy
Over the last year, Michael has encouraged Washington to step up its efforts on clean energy production and energy efficiency - efforts that will help create new, good-paying jobs and solidify America’s leadership in the production of clean, renewable energy in the 21st century.

• Fighting to Reclaim America’s Role as Leader in Renewable Energy
• Fighting for Responsible Development of Colorado’s Natural Resources

Keeping Colorado communities safe
Over the past year, Michael has worked hard to provide law enforcement agencies across the state with the most up to date equipment and support they need to fight crime, keep our streets safe from the drug trade, and keep Colorado communities safe.

• Secured Tools, Resources Colorado Cops Need to Keep Communities Safe
• Supported Local Efforts to Stop the Meth Scourge

Fighting for farmers, ranchers & rural communities
Recognizing the tremendous importance of agriculture and rural communities to Colorado, Michael’s first request as a United States Senator was to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. And he’s working hard every day to support Colorado’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

• Protecting Colorado’s Agricultural Heritage for Generations to Come
• Helping Struggling Farmers & Ranchers Access Credit & Weather the Storm

Fighting for equality of opportunity for all
Everyone in Colorado and across the country should have an equal shot at the American Dream - that’s the American promise. Michael is fighting to ensure that folks who work hard and play by the rules have the opportunity to succeed in America, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation.

• Fought for Equal Opportunity for Women
• Supported Efforts to Prevent Hate Crimes

Fighting for Colorado Families

As Colorado’s U.S. Senator, Michael’s top priority is to fight for Colorado families. He takes very seriously his obligation to respond to the needs and concerns of Coloradans, lending a helping hand whenever and wherever possible to ensure the federal government gives folks in our state a fair shake.

Fighting for Colorado Families - A Snapshot
Since taking office in January, Michael’s office has -

• Opened over 1,000 cases on behalf of Coloradans looking for help in their dealings with the federal government - over four-fifths of which have been resolved. 

• Received and responded to over 150,000 letters from Coloradans, including health care, energy, the economy, agriculture, the environment, and homeland security.

• Issued nearly 200 letters supporting federal grants applicants from entities all across the state.

• Interviewed over 150 applicants seeking Service Academy nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and West Point, and help many of them secure these important enrollments.

Fighting for Colorado Families - Colorado Stories
Michael measures his success as a Senator by how his work is making a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of Coloradans across the state. Here are several stories of Coloradans that received help from Michael’s office: (Names omitted for Privacy Reasons)

Southeastern Colorado - As the economy was starting to falter and foreclosures were starting to spread, Michael’s Pueblo office received a call from a couple that had had fallen on hard times, not just economically but physically as well -- both contracted life changing diseases. To help their situation, the couple sought Social Security Disability, but did not receive their benefits until after twenty-six months of back and forth with the Agency.

While the couple now had an income, the wait had taken a toll on their life savings and their ability to care for their three children. They contacted Michael’s southeast Colorado Senate office hoping that the representative could help them recoup the ‘backpay’ from Social Security. Michael’s office was able to expedite the processing of their claim, and because of these efforts, they each received a check for over $32,000 which allowed them to keep their home and pay their bills.

Western Slope - A number of residents of Garfield County, Colorado contacted Michael’s office in June concerning the budget shortfall of the Garfield County Housing Authority (GCHA). The GCHA had recently notified the families that received Section 8 Housing Vouchers that due to the budget shortfall, a result of the economic downturn, there would be a lottery in August of 2009 to determine whose vouchers would be revoked. Forty families were in jeopardy of losing their homes.

Michael’s office contacted Geneva Powell, Executive Director, of the GCHA to fight for these Colorado families. Ms. Powell had submitted an application for HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) funds but was unsure if the funds would come through. Michael submitted a letter which helped secure the HAP funds and allowed 40 families to remain in their homes. 

In response to the positive resolution, Ms. Powell stated, “I want to give a big thanks to Sens. Bennet and Udall, and Congressman Salazar for helping us to maintain this funding. Their effort really made a difference.”

Northern Colorado - After New Frontier’s collapse, Michael’s Fort Collins office helped a small agribusiness owner avoid filing bankruptcy and possibly losing her home.  They had been in the process of refinancing their debt with New Frontier for a smaller interest rate when the bank was seized. After the seizure, they secured a loan from Points West and could work with the FDIC to include a 30% write down on their loan. Without the loan agreement with the FDIC, they would have lost the business and their home.

The FDIC was giving them a lot of trouble, not communicating and was very reluctant to accept the write down.  Michael’s office worked with the FDIC and they finally agreed to accept the offer.  On the day of the loan closing, the woman called Michael’s office and said she was eternally grateful that these efforts helped save her business and her home. 

High Plains - During local office hours in Julesburg, a man confined to an electric wheelchair approached Michael’s representative for the High Plains region asking for assistance navigating the federal bureaucracy. The gentleman had suffered a serious stroke and found himself applying for a special needs pension, but was having a difficult time navigating the federal bureaucracy.

The man was a former self-employed businessman. But after suffering the stroke, he convalesced for several months and then found himself on his own but unable to work and restricted in his mobility. To obtain some form of income, the man, a military veteran, applied for a non-service connected disability pension. The Veterans Affairs office asked for a report from his doctor confirming the stroke.

But after mailing the appropriate documentation outlining his condition to both Denver and Minneapolis VA offices, neither office could find it. After many telephone calls from Michael’s office and with the help of the congressional VA office in Denver, the form was found, the application was processed, and the man received his benefits.  It literally meant the difference between living on the street or under the roof of his very humble home.

Job Creation and Economic Recovery

We are living in a time of extraordinary economic upheaval, the likes of which our nation has not seen since the Great Depression. In the last year alone, millions of jobs have been shed, small businesses have shuttered, and retirees have seen their savings sliced in half.

Our situation is the direct result of a Washington that allowed Wall Street’s greed and irresponsibility to run wild. Now, as we work to shape our economic future, the same, tired policies simply won’t do. We need a new approach, one based on American ingenuity and 21st century innovation.

In his first year in office, Michael has worked hard to promote policies that will jumpstart job creation and lay a new foundation for a stronger, more secure American economy for generations to come.

Saving and Creating Jobs
Indicators of economic growth come as little comfort for the millions of Americans who are still out of a job and for working families still struggling to make ends meet.

Michael believes our economic recovery should not leave anyone behind and that every American who is willing to work must have access to a good-paying job.  In his short time in Washington, Michael has supported efforts to spur job creation and get our economy back on track.

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act - With our economy edging towards the brink and with economists from both sides of the aisle calling for an economic recovery package to help stave off a second Great Depression, Michael supported swift, bold action to stabilize the economy and make job-creating investments in health care, transportation, clean energy and more.   

Colorado Breakdown of ARRA Funds:
Arkansas River Region:	81 projects totaling $55 million
Four Corners Region:	32 projects totaling $29 million
Greater Metro Region:	161 projects totaling $493 million
High Plains Region:	60 projects totaling $17 million
Hwy. 50 West Region:	26 projects totaling $17 million
I-70 Region:	45 projects totaling $74 million
Northwest Region:	21 projects totaling $2.8 million
North Central Region:	61 projects totaling $63 million
Pikes Peak Region:	52 projects totaling $91 million
San Luis Valley Region:	30 projects totaling $36 million

Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act- With the U.S. falling behind nations like China and Germany in the production of solar technology, Michael introduced legislation that creates incentives for American companies to produce solar technologies and create jobs at Colorado companies like Ascent Solar and Namaste Solar who are developing new, innovative solar technologies that will help us rethink the way we power our homes and businesses.

Job Creation in Rural America - In a letter to President Obama, Michael urged the Administration to ensure farmers and rural businesses have access to the same assistance provided to small businesses by upcoming jobs creation proposals.

Brought Colorado Business, Labor, Experts, and a Top Obama Administration Official Together To Design Ideas for Job Creation in Colorado- Recognizing the need for Coloradans to work together to jumpstart job creation and promote economic growth, Michael brought business, labor and academia together to gather input and forge ideas on how to move Colorado’s economy forward. 

Supporting Small Business and American Entrepreneurs
Economic recovery begins and ends with small business growth. Small businesses are responsible for nearly half of all private sector jobs and accounted for nearly seventy percent of job growth over the last decade.

Michael has worked hard in Washington to create an environment where small businesses can grow and thrive. Over the past year, Michael fought to improve access to lending to help thousands of small businesses in Colorado’s invest in their operations, create jobs and grow.

New Loan Guarantees for Small Business - With small businesses caught between an economic slump and a credit crunch, Michael voted to free up lending for small businesses and increase the availability of grants and loans to help make payroll, expand their business and create jobs.

Tax Relief for Small Business - With small businesses struggling to stay afloat in these uncertain economic times, Michael voted to allow small businesses to deduct more for investments made in the past business year and write off losses more quickly in order to  provide more immediate relief.

Increasing Lending to Small Business - Michael pushed the Treasury to re-obligate a portion of existing bailout funds to create a loan pool specifically designated to jumpstart lending to small business. 

Stabilizing the Housing Market & Keeping Families in their Homes
Tens of thousands of Colorado families are at risk of losing their homes in the face of rising joblessness, stagnant lending and plummeting home prices. Michael realizes that homeownership is the surest way for a family to maintain a Middle Class quality of life. Michael supported efforts to help keep more Americans in their homes, while stabilizing home prices and keeping the dream of owning a home within reach for Americans that want to buy a home for the first time.

Helping Families Save Their Homes-Michael pushed to provide support for homeowners facing foreclosure. The Helping Families Save their Homes Act makes it easier for homeowners to work with lenders to modify the terms of their loans and provides additional resources to educate and protect homeowners from predatory lending and fraudulent schemes.

Putting Dream of Homeownership Within Reach - Michael supported the creation and extension of a temporary homebuyers tax credit to bolster the slumping housing market while giving more Americans the opportunity to own a home. In addition, the extension of the tax credit provides military personnel and Foreign Service employees an additional year to use the credit if they served their country for at least 90 days in 2009 or 2010.

New Rules of the Road for Wall Street
It was the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street that led to the current economic crisis and it will take new, smart and effective rules of the road for our financial system to help lead us out. A smart, sound financial system is critical to a strong economy. As we look to reform Wall Street, Michael will fight to increase transparency and accountability, provide for smart and targeted regulation, and work to prevent taxpayers from ever being forced to rescue financial firms that are “too big to fail.”

Protecting Consumers - Michael is pushing to create an independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency that will make consumer protection a top priority within our nation’s financial system. Too many families across Colorado have fallen victim to risky subprime mortgages. An independent agency will fill gaps in our system that allowed such risky financial products to spread.

Ending TARP - Michael supports ending the $700 billion bailout immediately unless we can use the proceeds to help small businesses and create jobs.

Stopping Credit Card Abuses - Michael was the deciding vote on the Senate Banking Committee to enact tough new, rules on the credit card industry. When the banks tried to increase fees and interest rates before the new rules went into effect, Michael cosponsored legislation to freeze such increases.

Bringing Fiscal Responsibility Back to Washington

It's time to change the way Washington does business. We have to begin the long and difficult task of putting our nation's fiscal house in order. It won't happen overnight, but our long-term economic prosperity and security, and our children's future depend on attacking the huge debt and deficits that threaten to constrain our kids’ choices.

Michael has helped lead the charge to restore fiscal discipline in Washington. If folks in Colorado are tightening their belts and cutting back on their spending, Congress should do the same. Over the last year, Michael has made reducing our deficits and debt a top priority, and he will continue those efforts to make sure Washington doesn’t neglect this important priority.  

Changing the Way Washington Does Business
Over the last decade, Washington managed to rack up nearly $8 trillion in debt - debt that will fall squarely on our kid’s shoulders. Michael believes it’s time we change the way Washington does business and that we have to make the hard decisions - spending only what we have and putting together a plan to create a sound fiscal future.

Authored Plan to Reduce the Debt and Put Nation’s Fiscal House in Order- In an effort to address the nation’s unsustainable deficits and debt, Michael authored legislation with a plan to get the nation’s fiscal house back in order. Michael’s legislation, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2009, would place a yearly cap on the deficit that is connected to the size of our economy. His bill would also limit the amount of money Congress could spend on year-to-year spending choices, while safeguarding Social Security and Veterans benefits.

Making Sure Washington Stops Digging Itself Further Into Debt - Along with Senator Claire McCaskill, Michael introduced legislation that would force Congress to rein in run-away spending and bring new fiscal restraint to Washington. The legislation, known as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO), would require Congress to pay for all new entitlement spending or tax cuts, rather than adding to the national deficit. President Clinton worked with Congress back in the 1990s to use PAYGO to balance the budget. It’s time to restore fiscal responsibility.

Pushed Senate Leadership to Take Politics Out of Debt Reduction Process - Recognizing the need to take the politics out of Washington’s efforts to reduce the debt, Michael pushed to create an independent national debt commission to order Congress to make the hard decisions and get the nation’s fiscal house back in order.

Took a Stand for Earmark Reform - Recognizing the need for more transparency and accountability in government spending, Michael joined just four Democratic colleagues to support earmark reform that would ensure 1) any earmark for a for-profit private company would be subject to the same competitive bidding requirements as other Federal contracts; 2) each earmark must be open to scrutiny at public hearings where Members will have to justify their expense to the taxpayer; 3) earmarks that Members do seek are aired on those Members' websites in advance so the public and the press can examine them and judge their merits for themselves; and 4) that he would prohibit the trading of earmarks for public favors.

Providing Affordable, Quality Health Care for Coloradans

Each day, Coloradans are denied insurance coverage for treatment their doctor recommends. Families and individuals are being charged higher premiums, losing benefits, and going into debt because of medical bills.

Over the past year, Michael has worked to pass health care reform that lowers costs, increases choice, and makes insurance industry practices like denials based on pre-existing conditions a thing of the past - without adding a dime to the deficit. The Senate passed bill actually exceeds those fiscal expectations, as the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found it would reduce the deficit by over $130 billion in the first ten years.

Expanding Access to Health Care for Kids
Michael fought to provide children in Colorado and across the country with stable, quality health care. Due to the rising costs of health care, too many hard-working families have been losing their employer-sponsored health insurance and cannot afford the care they desperately need for their child.

Expanded the Children’s Health Insurance Program - In Colorado, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has provided kids from low-income families with reliable health care. Earlier this year, Michael voted to expand CHIP, effectively providing Colorado with an additional $97.5 million to cover 145,000 Colorado children and keep them healthy.

Making Health Care More Accessible At School- School-based health centers (SBHC’s) provide quality, affordable care to thousands of kids in Colorado every year. But many of these services are not reimbursed, making it difficult for SBHCs to continue serving kids. In an effort to secure more stable funding for SBHC’s and ensure they can continue their efforts, Michael introduced the Healthy Schools Act, which would put a more streamlined procedure in place for school-based health centers to be properly reimbursed by the federal government.

Improving Access, Quality of Health Care in Rural Areas
Our current health care system disadvantages rural America in providing primary care, outpatient services, hospital resourcing, and access to quality providers. Health care providers in our rural communities are under enormous pressure to provide broad access to quality health care. For example, six counties in Colorado do not have a full-time primary care physician; fourteen counties do not even have a hospital.  This needs to change, and Michael is leading the charge in the Senate to make it happen.

Secured Improvements to Access, Quality of Care in Rural Areas - Recognizing the need to improve access to care in rural areas, Michael introduced an amendment that would create a deficit-neutral reserve fund to address systemic inequities in the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements program, improve access to primary care and outpatient services, hospitals and increase the supply of a highly qualified health care workforce.

Fought to Provide Health Care Equity in Rural Areas - Michael introduced legislation to help provide equity in health care for Colorado’s rural residents. The bill improves access and affordability by increasing funding for community hospitals so they have the most up-to-date information and technology. It would improve access to low-cost prescription drugs and ensure community pharmacies have much-needed resources to remain in business.

Helped Secure Federal Grant to Provide Access to Health Care for La Plata County Underserved - Recognizing the need to improve access and availability to health care for the uninsured in southwestern Colorado, Michael helped secure federal funds to support the operations of a ‘stop-gap’ clinic that provides care to the underserved in La Plata County. 

Fighting to Make Health Care Reform Good for Colorado
Michael helped lead the effort in the Senate to pass meaningful and fiscally-responsible health care reform that; extends and protects Medicare for our seniors; provides free preventive care for everyone.; provides tax cuts to small businesses; eliminates exclusions based on pre-existing conditions; and provides coverage to 840,000 uninsured Coloradans  - all without adding a dime to deficit.

Michael was able to secure key wins for Colorado residents in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, making key improvements to the bill based on the countless stories and suggestions he heard directly from doctors, nurses and patients from every corner of the state.

Making Colorado’s Patient-Transition Care a Model for the Nation -  Modeling his concept on a patient-transition care project developed in Grand Junction, Colorado, Michael authored language in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that creates a nationwide network of community-based transitional care coaches who serve to improve patient quality and the cost-effectiveness of care for Medicare beneficiaries in order to reduce hospital readmission rates.

Protecting Medicare for Colorado’s Seniors - Michael led the charge in the U.S. Senate to protect and strengthen Medicare for seniors. Michael’s bipartisan amendment, which passed the Senate in a 100 - 0 vote, affirms that nothing in the Patient Protection and Affordability Act will result in a reduction of guaranteed Medicare benefits. It extends the solvency of Medicare, lowering premium costs and improving care for seniors.

Cutting the Red Tape in Health Care- Michael authored a provision that cuts red tape and bureaucracy so that doctors and nurses can spend less time on paperwork and more time on their patients. His provision puts an end to needless multiple forms, confusing codes and unnecessary paperwork that burdens providers, and ensures that if the health plans do not comply, there will be a financial penalty.

Improving Transparency in Medical Care- Michael pushed to ensure transparency between insurers and patients. This provision makes sure that insurers and health care providers report their performance to the public. This will help to empower patients to make the best possible decisions when it comes to their personal health care.

Creating a Clear, Common-Sense Approach to Address Medical Malpractice- Michael helped secure an amendment that provides for a state demonstration grant program to develop, implement and evaluate alternatives to tort litigation for medical malpractice claims. The purpose of these grants is to limit litigation, while preserving access to courts for patients and promoting strategies to reduce medical errors.

Pushed to Secure Long-Term Deficit Reduction in Health Care Reform- Michael introduced an amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that would make sure the bill stays true to its deficit reduction targets. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections show that the Senate health care reform bill would reduce the deficit in the long term. Michael’s amendment goes the extra mile to lock in these savings.

Sensible Protections for Colorado Consumers

Consumers were short-changed by Wall Street and by Washington in the years and months that led up to our nation’s financial collapse. Michael has fought hard to enhance consumer protections in the mortgage, credit card and financial services context, and to hold Wall Street to a higher standard when it comes to how it treats consumers and small investors.  

Standing Up Against Unfair Credit Card Company Practices
The last thing people need when they are at risk of losing their job or home is for their credit card rates to go up unexpectedly through no fault of their own. After hearing countless stories of Coloradans like Garrett Mumma of Pueblo and Melissa Mosely of Durango who’ve suffered at the hand of credit card company abuses, Michael took a stand to enhance protections for Colorado consumers.

Stood up Against Unfair Treatment by Credit Card Companies - After hearing the stories of countless Coloradans who suffered at the hands of credit card companies, Michael cast the deciding vote in Committee to advance the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act to the full Senate. Without his support, this critical consumer protection legislation would never have seen the light of day. The bill requires credit card companies to give 45 day notice before increasing rates; prohibits credit card companies from increasing rates on existing balances; requires credit card companies to mail statements 21 days before the customer’s bill is due; and prohibits credit card companies from raising rates on an existing balance because of payment issues with a separate card.

Fought to Stop Last-Ditch Efforts to Jack Up Credit Card Rates - In the wake of the Credit CARD Act’s passage, credit card companies sought to engage in a last-ditch effort to gouge last second profits by jacking up rates on consumers before the law was set to go into effect. Michael co-sponsored legislation that would provide an immediate freeze to interest rates before the terms of the Credit CARD Act were implemented.

Promoting a Strong, Smart Approach to National Security

We live in a time of unprecedented challenges, both at home and across the globe. Today, we face wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, transnational terrorist threats, a broken immigration system, and a foreign policy constrained by our ill-serving dependence on foreign oil. The stability and security of our country depends on our ability to take a new approach to these challenges, using the strength of our military, the power of steady diplomacy, and the wisdom of our people. America is strongest when we operate with our key allies by our sides.

Strengthening Colorado’s Military Installations
Colorado is home to the nation’s finest military installations and most talented and capable military men and women. Michael is committed to ensuring Colorado’s military bases have the resources they need to bolster our national defense and to help prepare our troops to meet the security challenges of the 21st century.

Supported Passage of Defense Bill that Will Bolster Colorado’s Military Installations- Michael voted to provide much-needed resources for Colorado’s military installations in the Defense Appropriations Conference Report, including the following projects:

Fort Carson:	$381 million
Peterson Air Force Base:	$32.3 million
Schriever Air Force Base:	$10.2 million
U.S. Army Reserve Center in Colorado Springs:	$13 million
Air Force Academy:	$17.5 million
Buckley Air National Guard Base:	$4.5 million

American Reinvestment in Colorado’s Military Installations- In addition to the Department of Defense Funding, Michael supported passage of the Recovery Act, which provided nearly $95 million for upgrades at Colorado’s military bases, including the following projects:

Fort Carson:	$27 million
Peterson Air Force Base:	$30 million
Schriever Air Force Base:	$3 million
Air Force Academy:	$18.5 million
Buckley Air National Guard Base:	$8.5 million
Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station:	$5 million

Ensuring Safe, Speedy Destruction of Dangerous Chemical Weapons- Working with Senator Mark Udall and Congressman John Salazar, Michael helped secure over $150 million to help the federal government stay on track to destroy the chemical weapons stored at the Pueblo Chemical Depot by 2017.

A Responsible Approach to Battles Abroad
We must use every element of America’s power to defeat those who wish to do our country and our people harm. And while military force must never be the only option, it must always remain an option. Our troops have performed bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan, and before asking them to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our country, we must be sure to provide them with a clear mission and set of objectives that is worthy of their sacrifice.

Called for Clear Purpose, Mission Before Sending More Troops to Afghanistan- In a speech before the U.S. Senate, Michael stated, “All 100 members of this body know that we must take great care as we make decisions that will affect the lives of our men and women in uniform and their families. For every soldier who answers our nation's call to serve in combat, a new deployment is like a new decision to go to war. That's why our national purpose and their mission must be absolutely clear, and that's also why and as members of this body we must be willing to ask hard questions.”

Renewing Our Commitment to America's Veterans & Military Familiies

Our freedom does not come without a price - it is paid for by the brave and selfless service of America’s military men, women and their loved ones. We owe them everything, and we must make sure we do our part, every day, to ensure a grateful nation keeps its promise to America’s military veterans from the day they enlist to the day they are proudly laid to rest.

Health Care for America’s Veterans
We need to honor our military men and women with the best treatment and benefits we, as a nation, can provide. Michael has worked to make good on our obligation to America’s veterans, fighting to fully fund our veterans’ health care programs and make sure they have access to the quality, affordable care they need and deserve.  

Making the Vision of Stand-Alone Veterans Hospital At Fitzsimons A Reality - Earlier this year, Michael helped lead the effort to create a state-of-the-art, stand-alone Veterans Hospital at the Fitzsimons Campus in Aurora. After continued urging by Michael and members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation, Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki announced the Administration’s plans to move forward with the hospital, breaking ground on construction at the site earlier this year.

Pushed VA to Streamline Benefits Process for Soldiers with PTSD- With Senator Mark Udall and Congressman John Salazar, Michael pressed Secretary Shinseki to streamline the benefits process by eliminating a burdensome requirement that requires veterans prove their injuries before benefits can be awarded. PTSD is one of the most frequently occurring conditions affecting veterans.

Urged Administration to Improve Mental Health Services for Veterans- Michael continued to push the Administration to improve mental health services for military men and women suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), urging Washington leaders to approve an initiative to enhance the system of mental health assessments provided for service members before and after they deploy to combat.

Helping Veterans in Their Transition to Civilian Life
Our veterans are among Colorado’s most talented resources. We should enlist their skills and harness their talents and abilities to spark ingenuity and innovation and help grow our economy.

Leading the Charge to Turn More Troops to Teachers- With schools across the country facing chronic teacher shortages, and with more veterans wanting to continue their service in America’s classrooms, Michael introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator John McCain to expand the Troops to Teachers Program. The bill will increase the number of schools eligible to participate in the program by 49 percent nationally, opening up 1,150 schools in Colorado to the program.

Pushing to Extend GI Bill Benefits to National Guard Members- Michael introduced legislation with Senator Mark Udall to update the Post 9/11 GI Bill to provide educational benefits to those members of the National Guard who do not currently receive full benefits despite having served in active duty. Those who would benefit from the update include nearly 600 service members in Colorado and 30,000 nationwide.

Fighting For Colorado’s Military Families
Our country’s military families are often our forgotten heroes, sacrificing just as much as their loved ones but asking for little to nothing in return. Michael believes we need to honor their sacrifice and ensure proper care for them and their immediate loved ones. They have earned the best, and the best is what we must provide.

Protecting the Benefits of Military Families- Michael passed legislation that was signed into law to protect military families from being cut out of child and maternal nutrition programs.  Because of this new law, military families can never again be removed from critical nutritional programs-such as free and reduced price school lunches-because combat pay increases their income above programs limits.  In an effort to ensure military families have access to critical nutritional programs, the Military Family Protection Act will permanently exempt combat pay from being counted as income for federal child nutrition programs and WIC.

Fighting to Provide Veterans With Greater Access to Care at Home - Michael has joined the push to provide training and assistance, ongoing support services, counseling and mental health services, respite care, medical care and a monthly personal allowance to caregivers taking care of veterans at home. The legislation, the Family Caregiver Act of 2009, will allow caregivers to more easily provide better care to veterans returning home.

A Final Resting Place Worthy of Their Sacrifice
A grateful nation must keep its promise to its veterans from the day they enlist to the day they are laid to rest. That means ensuring our veterans have a final resting place worthy of their sacrifice. With Colorado’s existing cemeteries expected to reach full capacity in the coming years, Michael is working to ensure all Colorado’s military veterans have the choice of being laid to rest near their families and near the place they call home.

Pushing to Create a National Veterans Cemetery in Southern Colorado- For years, Southern Coloradans have been fighting to create a national veterans cemetery to call their own. Michael has joined the effort by introducing legislation to create a new cemetery in southern El Paso County to serve the high concentration of veterans in the area.

Fighting for Colorado’s Land and Water

Colorado’s blessed with a natural heritage unlike any other state in the nation. We are not owners of the lands but stewards tasked with the responsibility to protect and preserve this heritage for generations of Coloradans to enjoy. As the father of three little girls and a wife who has devoted her life to protecting Colorado’s land and water, it’s a responsibility Michael takes very seriously and works hard every day to fulfill.

Protecting Colorado’s Natural Heritage
In Colorado, generation after generation has put aside their differences to work together to provide lasting protections for our land and water. Today, Michael continues the work of those who came before him, working with Senator Mark Udall to protect Colorado’s treasured landscaped and special places for the enjoyment of generations to come.

Wilderness Designation at Rocky Mountain National Park - Michael voted to designate nearly 250,000 acres in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) as wilderness.

Smart, Sensible Protections at Dominguez Escalante - Michael voted to establish Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA), including over 66,000 acres as the Dominguez Canyon wilderness. The NCA will protect the geologic, historic and cultural sites within the area, while allowing for continued federal management of the land for multiple uses.

Wilderness Designation in Southwestern Colorado- Michael introduced with Mark Udall the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act, which would designate 33,383 acres in southwestern Colorado as wilderness and 21,697 acres as a special management area. Altogether, more than 61,000 acres would be preserved in the area.

Upgraded Southwest Colorado’s Water Infrastructure - Michael voted to improve critical water infrastructure for residents of southwestern Colorado, helping to pass the Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act, which is needed to extend the life of the aging Mancos Project on the Mancos River north of Mancos in Montezuma County.

Protecting the Natural Heritage of San Luis Valley- Michael voted to designate the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, which makes the area eligible for federal grants and funding, and will help preserve the area’s unique character. The NHA would encompass Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla counties and include the Sand Dunes, Baca Wildlife Refuge, and the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. 

Protecting the Natural Heritage of Park County - Michael voted to designatethe South Park National Heritage Area, which makes the area eligible for federal grants and funding, and will help preserve the unique character of this pristine area in Park County. 

Safe, Healthy Drinking Water for Colorado Communities
Water is the lifeblood of the West. There is no resource more valuable or more important to sustaining Colorado’s communities, economies and coveted way of life. Michael has made a commitment to fight for Colorado’s water, continuing the legacy of many before him, like Ken Salazar, who understood the need to protect this valuable resource for Coloradans now and for generations to come.

Fulfilling the Promise of the Arkansas Valley Conduit- Since John F. Kennedy was in the White House, southeastern Colorado has been waiting for a conduit to call its own. Michael, working with Senator Mark Udall and Representatives John Salazar and Betsy Markey, was able to secure $5 million in funding to begin construction on the Arkansas Valley Conduit and deliver clean drinking water to southeastern Colorado communities.

Preserving Colorado’s Forest Health
Colorado’s forests offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in addition to preserving pristine wildlife habitat. As a member of the Senate Committee responsible for our nation’s forestry, Michael has fought hard to ensure forest service officials have the tools and resources they need to ensure the health of Colorado’s forests for generations to come.

Secured Steady, Stable Funding for Wildfire Suppression- Year after year, U.S. Forest Service officials face chronic budget shortfalls for wildfire suppression activities due to an inefficient and outdated formula for funding. To address this problem, Michael co-sponsored the FLAME Act, which creates a dedicated, steady and predictable funding stream for wildfire suppression activities. 

Pushed to Make Colorado National Model for Forest Health Management - Building upon a successful Colorado model that partners federal and state foresters to address the state’s forest health, Michael introduced a bipartisan bill that facilitates cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and state forest service officials in their efforts to perform forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services, such as fuel reduction or treatment of insect-infected trees, on national forest lands.

Fought to Preserve Jobs in Colorado’s Timber Industry - With the decline in housing construction, the Colorado timber industry reached a crisis situation and Colorado’s timber mills reached a state of near bankruptcy, jeopardizing countless jobs across the state. Recognizing the need to act quickly to preserve jobs and support a key economic engine in Western Colorado, Michael spearheaded an effort among a wide range of stakeholders, resulting in the issuance of emergency aid from the U.S. Forest Service as well as Recovery Act Grants that helped the industry begin to regain its footing and self-sufficiency.

Leaving a Legacy Coloradans Can Be Proud Of
Michael has fought to ensure we act as good stewards of our environment, and has committed himself to making good on long-overdue promises to clean up relics of Colorado’s mining boom that threaten our kids health and their futures.

Completing the Clean Up of Summitville Mine - After years of delay, Michael, working with Senator Mark Udall and Congressman Salazar, secured up to $25 million in funding from the Recovery Act to construct a new water treatment plant to help accelerate hazardous waste clean-up already underway at the site and finally bring reclamation efforts at the Summitville Mine to an end.

Accelerating Cleanup of Clear Creek/Central City Superfund Site - Michael secured, as part of the Recovery Act, $5 million to accelerate the cleanup of the 400-square-mile Clear Creek watershed affected by wastes from historic mining activities. Cleanup will include targeted efforts to reduce dangerous metals entering the watershed which supplies water to Denver-area residents.

Promoting Efforts to Clean Up Abandoned Mines- In an effort to cleanup abandoned mines that pose major threats to public health and water quality, Michael signed onto ‘Good Samaritan’ legislation authored by Senator Mark Udall that would open a path for community groups and others to clean up polluted mines by establishing a Clean Water Act permit program enabling volunteers to reduce the pollution flowing from an abandoned mine.

Bringing Mining Law into the 21st Century- Citing the need to update the nation’s mining law, unchanged since 1872, Michael signed onto to the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009. If enacted the legislation would update current law to reflect new realities by: 1) providing much-needed funding for abandoned mine cleanup and reclamation, 2) ensuring a fair rate of return to taxpayers, 3) putting an end to the patenting of public lands, and 4) providing reasonable protections for specific lands from new mining claims.

Preparing our Kids for the New Economy

If we are going to recover from this recession in the short-run and continue to lead in the long-run, we have to fundamentally change our public education system. Our current system is failing too many kids, and is not adequately changing to meet the needs of the new economy.

In his first year in office, Michael has been a leader in the Senate, fighting for education reform that will put kids first and using his on-the-ground experience in Denver to drive national change.

Common Sense Reform

The Secondary School Innovation Fund Act- With 1.2 million students dropping out of school every year, Michael was an original cosponsor of a bill to award grants to implement innovative strategies to improve student achievement and prepare at-risk students for postsecondary workforce-driven education.

Improved Teacher Quality, Expanded Learning Time, and Data Driven Reform - In a letter to the President Michael urged these critical reforms be enacted:

Investing in our public schools - Michael supported passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), whichhas created or saved over 3,370 jobs in schools across Colorado. In addition, the Recovery Act’s Race to the Top Funds have spurred unprecedented innovation and reform across the country.

Student Loans

Service Member Student Loan Relief Act - Michael worked with a group of bipartisan Senators to ensure that when our men and women are deployed in combat, their student loans are not accruing additional interest. He will work to get this bill passed through the HELP Committee.

The Private Education Loan Ombudsman Act - Michael pushed to help private student loan borrowers address complaints or challenges by providing students with an advocate who would work with colleges, universities and private lenders to address their debt concerns.

Attracting Talent into our Schools

Leading the Charge to Turn More Troops to Teachers- With schools across the country facing chronic teacher shortages, and with more veterans wanting to continue their service in America’s classrooms, Michael introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator John McCain to expand the Troops to Teachers Program. The bill will increase the number of schools eligible to participate in the program by 49 percent nationally, opening up 1,150 schools in Colorado to the program.

School Principal Recruitment And Training Act - Recognizing the importance of great leadership in our schools, Senator Bennet was an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation to create a new competitive grant program to recruit, support, and prepare high-caliber aspiring and current principals to lead high-need schools.

Promoting Health and Wellness at School

Keeping Kids Healthy- Michael has sponsored the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act to make sure all foods available to kids while they are at school are nutritious.

Serving More Colorado Children- Michael has sponsored the Hunger Free Schools Act to reduce the paperwork and bureaucracy to make sure hungry children receive the school meals they deserve.

Making Health Care More Accessible At School- School-based health centers (SBHC’s) provide quality, affordable care to thousands of kids in Colorado every year. But many of these services are not reimbursed, making it difficult for SBHCs to continue serving kids. In an effort to secure more stable funding for SBHC’s and ensure they can continue their efforts, Michael introduced the Healthy Schools Act, which would put a more streamlined procedure in place for school-based health centers to be properly reimbursed by the federal government.

Increasing Investments in Clean, American Energy

America and Colorado need a comprehensive energy policy that establishes aggressive targets for clean energy and energy efficiency, and includes responsible development of our traditional energy resources. We need to efficiently and cleanly utilize all sources of energy if we ever want to free ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil. Over the last year, Michael has encouraged Washington to step up its efforts on clean energy production and energy efficiency - efforts that will help create new, good-paying jobs and solidify America’s leadership in the production of clean, renewable energy in the 21st century.

 

Reclaiming America’s Role as a Global Leader In the Clean Energy Economy
Despite a growing focus on clean, renewable energy across the globe, our country is falling further and further behind our global competitors in the production of energy from wind, solar and biofuels. Michael is working to reverse the tide and make sure that America- the country that pioneered clean energy technology- can once again call itself the global leader in clean energy production.

Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act- With the U.S. falling behind nations like China and Germany in the production of solar technology, Michael introduced legislation that creates incentives for American companies to produce solar technologies and create jobs here at home.

25 by 25 Renewable Electricity Standard - Modeled after successful programs in Colorado and a host of other states, Michael cosponsored legislation in the Senate that sets an aggressive goal of generating 25 percent of our nation’s electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

American Reinvestment in Clean Energy Future- Michael supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included billions of dollars to modernize the electrical grid and expand tax incentives. The legislation extended the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind energy facilities through 2012, allowed renewable facilities to claim investment tax credit instead of production tax credit, and removed a cap on investment tax credit for small wind properties.

Improving Energy Efficiency & Conservation
We should be getting the most energy for our dollar from our vehicles, homes and businesses. Michael supports efforts to help families increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Our manufacturers and builders should be incentivized to create better buildings and appliances. And government must set a good example, by running its own buildings efficiently.

Giving A Boost to Energy Efficient Housing and Clean, Green Job Creation - Recognizing the substantial savings that could be garnered through energy efficiency improvements in federally-assisted affordable housing, Michael introduced legislation to incentivize federally assisted housing owners to take steps to make better use of energy in their homes. If enacted, it is estimated the bill will create Colorado jobs and save $1.5 billion in taxpayer dollars.

American Reinvestment in Energy Efficiency: Michael supported passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which contained: $5 billion for low-income home weatherization projects; $4.5 billion to green federal buildings and cut our energy bill, saving taxpayers billions of dollars; and $6.3 billion for state and local renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.

Responsible Development of Colorado’s Energy Natural Resources
We need to ignite the responsible development of America’s energy sources if we ever want to free ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil. In the last year, Michael has supported balanced and responsible development of Colorado’s vast natural resources to ensure we meet the demands of Coloradans today and our obligation to provide a healthy and safe environment for Coloradans in decades to come.

Pushing for Responsible Approach to Oil Shale Development- Citing the need to answer critical questions surrounding oil shale development effects on land and water resources, Michael called on Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to proceed cautiously on oil shale development and ensure research and development is allowed to run its course before issuance of commercial oil shale leases on Colorado’s treasured public lands.

Pushed to Maintain Critical Support for Colorado’s Natural Gas Producers- Recognizing the important role natural gas plays in Colorado’s economy and in advancing the clean energy economy, Michael urged Senate leaders to retain the Intangible Drilling Costs tax deduction to help exploration and production of clean-burning natural gas.

Pushed Senate Leaders to Support Natural Gas Production in Clean Energy Bill- Michael urged leaders in the Senate to ensure natural gas plays an important role in America’s clean energy future. In a letter to his colleagues, Bennet stated “Any clean energy bill should provide statutory guidance to harness this important resource and stimulate and support even more activity in this sector of our nation’s diverse energy portfolio.”

Keeping Colorado Communities Safe

We need to provide our law enforcement officials and first responders with the tools and resources they need to keep our kids and our communities safe from drugs and violent crime. Over the past year, Michael has worked hard to provide law enforcement agencies across the state with the most up to date equipment and support they need to fight crime, keep our streets safe from the drug trade, and keep Colorado communities safe.

Securing Tools, Resources to Fight Crime in Colorado Communities
With city budgets stretched thin in these tough economic times, local communities need support now more than ever to fund law enforcement efforts and keep cops on the beat. Michael has worked tirelessly throughout the past year to address this challenge, meeting with local law enforcement officials and fighting to provide them with the tools and resources they need to fight crime and keep our communities safe.

Fighting to Increase Funding to Hire More Cops for Local Communities - With local law enforcement agencies facing budget cuts and potential layoffs, Michael fought to secure $298 million to fund the COPS program and provide local Colorado communities with the resources they need put more cops on the beat and keep our neighborhoods safe. Already this year, COPS funding has helped boost law enforcement funding in Colorado.

• The Haxtun Police Department received $416,985 to assist the department's efforts to secure area schools.
• The Colorado Springs Police Department received $436,119 to assist the department's efforts against child endangerment and protect communities from sexual predators.
• The Denver and Aurora Police Departments received more than $350,000 to assist efforts to secure city schools.

Secured Funding to Support Durango Law Enforcement Efforts- Working with Senator Mark Udall, Michael secured $200,000 to boost the Durango Police Department’s local law enforcement efforts and help southwest Colorado law enforcement agencies work together to fight crime.

Secured Funding to Improve Information Sharing Among Local Law Enforcement Agencies- Michael secured $500,000 in federal funding to boost COPLINK and help several Colorado law enforcement agencies - including Denver, Aurora, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Larimer County - share important information to fight crime.

Secured Funding to Boost CU School Safety Programs- Michael secured $500,000 to help the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Colorado Schools Safety Program (CSSP) boost its efforts to stem school violence by bringing leading-edge knowledge to all Colorado schools about the causes and consequences of school violence.

Secured Funding to Build Full-Service Crime Lab in Northern Colorado- Michael secured $300,000 to help the Weld County Sheriff’s Office build a full-service crime lab serving Northern Colorado.

Secured Funding to Expand, Improve Denver Cold Case Project-  Michael secured $350,000 to expand and improve a Denver pilot project focused on investigating and prosecuting violent crime cold cases, and providing victim services to the survivors and/or their families.   The funding will be used for personnel, equipment and supplies that will enable the Cold Case DNA Project to continue to expand and improve.

Supporting Local Efforts to Fight the Drug Trade
Methamphetamine use has grown rapidly over the last decade in Colorado, especially in our rural communities. It is also one of the fastest growing and most dangerous drugs in the U.S. today. We need to combat the meth scourge with the urgency it deserves, and Michael is working hard to ensure Colorado’s law enforcement officials have the tools and resources they need to get the job done.

Pushing to Provide HIDTA Designation for Delta and Montrose Counties - With Delta and Montrose seeing a surge in meth-related crime, Michael pushed to secure a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designation for Delta and Montrose Counties that would bring critical resources, better training and enhanced collaboration for local law enforcement.

Secured Funding to Boost Efforts to Curb Meth Use in Colorado- Michael secured $250,000 to help the Colorado Meth Project boost its efforts to curb meth use among teens and young adults in Colorado. The funding will be used to stem the destruction to individuals and the high costs to communities that result from the use of meth and raise awareness of the scale, depth, and critical nature of the meth problem in the state.

Secured Funding to Fight Meth Scourge in Jefferson County- Michael secured $100,000 to help Jefferson County law enforcement officials and the Colorado Department of Human Services Child Protection Intake fight methamphetamine use and trade in Jefferson County communities.

A Common-Sense Approach to Immigration Reform

America’s system of immigration is broken and in desperate need of a fix. For too long, partisan politics and heated rhetoric have prevented Washington from achieving the kind of reform we need to meet the realities of the new century.

Michael believes our economy and national security depend on stopping the political gamesmanship and finally creating a system that works. It is time for practical, comprehensive reform that fixes our immigration system as a whole - enhancing border security and creating sound policy solutions for undocumented immigration. 

American Reinvestment in Stronger, More Secure Borders- Michael supported passage of the Recovery Act, which provides nearly $400 million in funds to strengthen security and infrastructure for ports of entry on the Southwest border of the United States.

Providing Children of Undocumented Immigrants A Shot at the American Dream- Michael believes that all children in America should be able to think big about their future and have the opportunity to receive legal status, get an education and become productive members of the American workforce. That’s why he co-sponsored the DREAM Act, which would provide undocumented children who serve in the military or attend college the opportunity to obtain legal status.

Addressing the Chronic Shortage of Farm Labor in Rural America - With farmers and ranchers in Colorado facing shortages of labor to tend to the fields, Michael cosponsored the Ag Jobs Act, which addresses worker shortages on Colorado farms by providing a clear path for legal status for immigrant farm workers and H-2A guest workers.

Providing Labor Relief for Small and Seasonal Business- Recognizing the chronic shortage of employees small and seasonal businesses in Colorado face every year, Michael signed on as a cosponsor of the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act which would extend the annual cap on H-2B visas and provide an exemption for workers who have used the program during the last three years.

Fighting for Farmers, Ranchers & Rural Communities

Our nation's prosperity is tied to the prosperity of our rural communities. This is certainly true in Colorado, where farming and ranching are a proud tradition and a vital part of our economy. The people of rural Colorado work the land, and they persevere in the face of drought, scarce resources, freezing temperatures and scorching heat so that our state and country can have a reliable, safe, high-quality supply of food.  

Because of the tremendous importance of agriculture and rural communities to Colorado, Michael’s first request as a United States Senator was to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. And he’s working hard every day to ensure rural America is not left behind.

Helping Struggling Farmers & Ranchers Access Credit & Weather the Storm
Between sinking commodity prices and a credit crunch, our farmers and ranchers in rural communities are struggling. Michael is working hard to provide relief for Colorado’s agricultural producers, supporting efforts to deliver aid and assistance that will soften the blow and improve access to credit and lending our farmers and ranchers need to keep their operations afloat.

Delivering Relief and Aid for Colorado’s Dairy Farmers- Working with Senator Mark Udall and Congresswoman Betsy Markey, Michael was able to secure $350 million in immediate assistance to help dairy farmers in Colorado and across the country caught between plummeting prices for their product and a devastating credit crunch.

Secured Increased Loan Assistance for Struggling Farmers and Ranchers- Working with Senator Mark Udall, Michael was able to secure additional funding to the tune of $7.8 million in direct farm operating loans to help farmers and ranchers who have experienced difficulty accessing loans and credit to fund their operations.

Urged the Department of Justice to Investigate Potential Fraud in Collapse of New Frontier Bank- In the wake of New Frontier Bank’s collapse, and in light of recent findings indicating fraud may have contributed to its closure, Michael urged U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to thoroughly and expeditiously investigate the bank’s failure, stating, “A thorough investigation of these allegations can provide some assurances to the people of northern Colorado that the bank is being held accountable for its actions.”

Urged USDA to ‘Proceed With Caution’ On Crop Insurance Changes- Michael urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to proceed with caution on changes to the federal crop insurance program given their potential impact on the lives of Colorado’s farmers and ranchers.

Protecting Colorado’s Agricultural Heritage
Michael is working hard to make sure we preserve our agricultural heritage. The value of Colorado’s open lands extends beyond livestock and crop production; open lands purify water and affect its flow, provide wildlife habitats, and have an aesthetic value. Whether farmed, maintained as rangeland, or enrolled in a conservation program, Colorado’s open lands are an essential component to our heritage.

Protecting the Integrity and Viability of the Conservation Easement Program- Michael joined the effort in the Senate to make permanent an enhanced tax credit for farmers and rancher to take part in the conservation easement program. In addition, Michael wrote a letter with Senator Mark Udall urging the IRS to work with state officials to protect the long-term viability and integrity of Colorado’s conservation easement program, widely seen as a model for the nation to follow.

Secured Key Win to Expand Enrollment in Conservation Reserve Program- Working with Congresswoman Betsy Markey, Michael was able to get the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow more Colorado farmers and ranchers to participate in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) by increasing project enrollment from 35,000 to 70,000 acres, adding parts of Washington and Lincoln Counties.

Secured One-Year Extension of Moratorium on Pinon Canyon Expansion- Working with Senator Mark Udall and Representatives Betsy Markey and John Salazar, Michael was able to secure an extension of the moratorium on expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado for an additional year.

Fighting for Equality of Opportunity for All

Everyone in Colorado and across the country should have an equal shot at the American Dream - that’s the American promise. Michael is fighting to ensure that folk who work hard and play by the rules have the opportunity to succeed in America, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity for Women

Fought for Equal Pay for Equal Work- On Michael’s first day in office, he voted in favor of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, legislation that would restore basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers.

Supported Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court- Recognizing her depth of judicial experience, record of fair and accurate application of the law, and inspiring life journey, Michael voted to support the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Supporting Efforts to Prevent Hate Crimes

Pushed for National Hate Crimes Legislation- Michael helped lead the charge in the Senate to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that updates current hate crimes law by expanding the government’s ability to prosecute crimes targeting victims because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.