Today, at the end of the Senate’s two week-vacation, and as Washington prepares to convene for the “coming partisan clash over the next relief package,” John Hickenlooper is expressing what millions of Americans are feeling today – frustration and exhaustion at the dysfunction of Washington.
“Unemployment insurance benefits end in just a few days as nearly 16,000 Coloradans filed for unemployment in the last week alone. There is a national shortage of tests and PPE. Small businesses and families need relief. And the Senate has done nothing for months. This is why so many Americans — and I count myself among their number — are just plain exhausted with Washington’s dysfunction. It’s time to change the Senate.”
Over the last two weeks, John called on both Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to end the scheduled two-week recess and return to work to pass urgent relief for Colorado families, small businesses, and medical workers. Among the urgent issues the Senate failed to address:
- Extending the unemployment benefits that are set to expire in two weeks
- Getting medical workers the protective gear they need
- Pass rental relief for the struggling homeowners and renters
- Standing up to Trump’s refusal to adhere to CDC guidelines for schools
- Addressing funding for testing amid a nationwide shortage
- Funding local communities and public services
- Fixing our health care system amid the rise of uninsured Americans
- Funding food assistance programs for millions of Americans
