Coloradans Need Help Now But Gardner Goes on Vacation, Dodges Questions on Trump’s Inadequate Executive Action

Governor Polis: “Hardworking Colorado families need real relief”

House Majority Leader Garnett: “Colorado has no time to waste–-we need Congress to pass a robust COVID relief package as soon as possible”

Senate President Garcia: “Playing power games with people’s lives is unacceptable. The US House passed a bill to help working families, schools, and small businesses months ago, but this critical legislation has been completely stonewalled”

Denver, CO - After Senator Cory Gardner failed to pass COVID relief legislation and took another vacation, Coloradans are demanding that Gardner and the Senate GOP take immediate action to restore emergency unemployment insurance for 330,000 Coloradans, provide funding for local and state governments, and support our schools. But instead of standing up for Colorado’s families, No Comment Cory either refused to comment or sidestepped questions -- both common tactics for him -- on President Trump’s executive orders to gut funding for Social Security and Medicare and slash unemployment relief, leaving the state to pay the bill. 

Governor Polis and other local leaders have sounded the alarm -- Trump’s actions would drain our budget in weeks and put the most vulnerable Coloradans at further risk with the cuts to Medicare and Social Security. 

Here is what Colorado’s leaders are saying to Congress: 

• Governor Polis: “Hardworking Colorado families need real relief and our schools and local governments need additional resources to effectively respond to the unique challenges of this pandemic. Without new federal support, our economy and small businesses will continue to teeter on the edge of a cliff.”
   
• Senate President Garcia: “Playing power games with people’s lives is unacceptable. The US House passed a bill to help working families, schools, and small businesses months ago, but this critical legislation has been completely stonewalled.”

• House Speaker Becker: “Congress must quickly approve a meaningful coronavirus relief package, as thousands of hardworking Coloradans agonize over their economic security and wonder how they will make ends meet.”
  
• House Majority Leader Garnett: “Colorado has no time to waste–-we need Congress to pass a robust COVID relief package as soon as possible. Today we’re calling on Congress to deliver a relief package that includes significant direct aid to state and local governments, robust education funding, and an extension of the unemployment benefits that have kept many Colorado families afloat over the past few months.”
  
• Senate Majority Leader Fenberg: “Untold numbers of people are facing homelessness, food insecurity, and utility shut-offs because Congress refuses to act.” 

Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Eli Rosen: 

“Coloradans are in desperate need of relief, but Senator Cory Gardner has gone on vacation and failed us yet again. Our state and local leaders are crystal clear on the need for immediate aid to keep our schools safe and help unemployed workers make ends meet, but Gardner chose to fall in line with Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell -- leaving Coloradans behind.” 
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