U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) are leading a group of 16 senators in urging President Obama to prioritize a new, strengthened Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security assistance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Washington this week. A new MOU would help ensure Israel has the tools and resources necessary to prepare for, respond to, and defend against threats in the Middle East.

Bennet: Naming Process Begins for New VA Cemetery in Southern Colorado

The cemetery is the product of years of bipartisan work with local veterans

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is urging Colorado veterans to submit suggested names to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as they have announced the formal naming process has begun for the new VA national cemetery in southern Colorado. Bennet has worked for 6 years to establish the 374-acre cemetery which will serve roughly 95,000 veterans. Currently, the nearest cemetery for veterans and their families is more than 70 miles away.

Colorado, New Mexico Lawmakers Lead Introduction of Bill to Reform Hardrock Mining Law

Bill Reforms 1872 Mining Law to Help Prevent Future Disasters like Gold King Mine Blowout

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced a bill to reform the nation's antiquated hardrock mining laws. The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2015 will ensure mining companies pay royalties for the privilege of extracting mineral resources from public lands.

Bennet Highlights Dysfunction of Wildfire Funding at Agriculture Committee Hearing

Senate Hearing Follows Announcement between U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service on Good Neighbor Authority Agreement

Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet discussed the threat of wildfire and the dysfunctional way wildfire suppression is funded, including the negative effects of "fire borrowing," at a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. At the hearing, entitled "Wildfire: Stakeholder Perspectives on Budgetary Impacts and Threats to Natural Resources on Federal, State and Private Lands," Chris Treese of the Colorado River Water Conservation District discussed the problem of fire borrowing and the long-term effects of catastrophic wildfires.

Bennet, Colleagues Call for Investigation into Potential Wrongful Discharges of Servicemembers with Mental Health Diagnoses

Senators’ request comes after allegations that Soldiers have been discharged for misconduct after behavioral health diagnoses

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and ten of their colleagues calling on the Army to conduct a full Army Inspector General investigation into recent allegations that the Army wrongfully discharged for misconduct soldiers who had been diagnosed with mental health issues after returning from deployment.

Bennet, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution in Solidarity with Israel, Condemning Palestinian Terror Attacks

Ten Israelis Have Been Killed and 135 Wounded This Month Because Of Scores Of Attacks By Palestinians Armed With Knives, Meat Cleavers, Guns, And Cars

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael today will join Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and John Cornyn (R-TX), to introduce a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. Senate in solidarity with Israel. The resolution condemns Palestinian terrorist attacks in Israel, and reaffirms support for Israel's commitment to maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount.
Today, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and Congressman Scott Tipton are urging EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to assure local governments and tribes that they will be fully reimbursed for all costs related to the Gold King Mine spill. Currently, if affected local governments have not executed an agreement with the EPA by November 3, they may not be able to fully recover costs associated with the spill. Both La Plata County and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe have expressed concerns about the current deadline.

Final Crowdfunding Rules Released, Bringing New Potential for Small Business, Retail Investors

New Rules Allow Small Businesses and Start-Ups to Raise Capital Online and Through Social Media from Small Investors

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today welcomed the long-awaited announcement from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it has approved final rules for crowdfunding. Crowdfunding will provide a new avenue for Colorado small businesses and start-ups to acquire capital while ensuring strong protections for individuals who make small investments in these businesses. Bennet was a lead sponsor of the CROWDFUND Act, which was signed into law in 2012, that initiated the SEC's rulemaking process.