Bennet Praises House Passage of Bill to Continue VA Hospital Construction

Bill Introduced by Bennet, Gardner Passed Senate Yesterday

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today praised the passage of a bipartisan bill by the House of Representatives that allows for continued construction of the Aurora VA hospital. The bill - introduced by Bennet and Gardner and unanimously passed by the Senate yesterday - gives the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authority to use $150 million it currently has to continue construction of the Aurora VA hospital.
Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner have filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016 to give the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority to manage major construction projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The amendment would designate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the construction agent on all VA projects over $100 million.

Bennet-Backed Rural Water Bill Passes Senate

Bipartisan Proposal Would Help Enable Small Communities to Meet Safe Drinking Water Standards

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet praised passage of the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Act by the Senate. The bill - which passed unanimously - would help small and rural communities comply with safe drinking water regulations. Bennet helped introduce the bill earlier this year with Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).

Bennet, Gardner Send Colorado-Written Report on Fire Mitigation to USDA Secretary

Report Commissioned by Bennet Details Fire Mitigation Recommendations from CO Experts

Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner sent the Innovations in Forestry and Fire Mitigation report to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The report commissioned by Bennet details recommendations from Colorado fire and forestry experts on the steps the federal government can take to better support Colorado's wildfire mitigation efforts. The senators presented these recommendations by representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State University, the Colorado Water Congress, County Commissioners from across the Front Range and West Slope, and other members of the forestry, conservation, and wildfire prevention community in May of this year.
Today, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet joined a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in urging Education Secretary Arne Duncan to use his authority to allow the use of data from the second preceding tax year, also known as "prior-prior year" when students are filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Currently, many students across the country are receiving their college admissions letters without the accompanying financial aid award information they need to compare college options and costs.

Bennet, Gardner Push Amendment to Find Where Money for VA Hospital Went

Report Will Look into Mismanaged Denver VA Medical Center, Other Facilities

Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner today offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 to look into construction contracts for major medical facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The report will determine how projects have gone over budget and where the money has gone on mismanaged projects such as the Denver Replacement Medical Center.