ICYMI: “I'm Embarrassed For Colorado.” Boebert Blasted By Moffat County Hospital CEO for COVID Disinformation.
Andy Daniels, Memorial Regional Health’s CEO who describes himself as “super conservative” calls out Congresswoman. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH INTERVIEW)
Denver, CO -- Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has been heavily criticized for continuously downplaying and mocking the severity of the Delta variant of COVID-19. Whether it was for her “Needle Nazis” comment or tweeting to “turn off CNN” to make the Delta variant “go away”, the Congresswoman continues to be long on tweets and short on actual solutions to help her constituents.
But, as this CNN clip that was later picked up by CBS Denver shows, Lauren Boebert’s disinformation campaign and mocking attitude towards COVID-19 has real consequences for her constituents.
As CBS Denver wrote up:
Andy Daniels, the hospital’s chief executive officer, describes himself as a “super conservative individual.”
“How does it make you feel the way Rep. Boebert has treated this pandemic?” Tuchman asked.
“I’m embarrassed for Colorado too, quite frankly,” Daniels answered. “I’m embarrassed that she is my representative.”
…
“I think if you’re going to take a stance on health care policy, you might actually want to learn something about health care policy,” Daniels told Tuchman.
Dr. Matthew Grzegozewski, is the chief medical officer in the hospital’s emergency department.
“She comes from a position of power, being our elected official, and I think that people are listening to what she’s saying, and a lot of what she’s putting out there is ideology that isn’t fact, isn’t medically sound,” Grzegozewski said.
The chief medical officer and the CEO would both like a chance to speak to Boebert about what’s going on in their county and the message she’s sending.
“It’s putting a lot of people in danger and it’s, quite honestly, costing people lives and it’s, it’s frustrating to have to fight against that,” Grzegozewski said.
Just days ago, when offered a mask by a House floor staffer, Boebert reportedly threw the mask in the staffer’s face.
David Pourshoushtari, Spokesperson for the Colorado Democratic Party:
“While Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is having ‘the time of [her] life’ in Congress, her constituents are suffering and dying from the Delta variant of COVID-19. Congresswoman Boebert may think spreading disinformation and mocking the severity of the Delta variant will get her more retweets, but her actions are costing people’s lives.
“During the August recess, Congresswoman Boebert needs to get off Twitter, actually talk to her constituents, and encourage people in Congressional District 3 to get vaccinated so we can slow the spread of the Delta variant. Her constituents’ lives are at stake, and Congresswoman Boebert needs to know that this is not a game.”
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Does the Colorado GOP’s Chair Believe the 2020 Election was Stolen? Voters Deserve to Know.
Colorado GOP Chair Has Repeatedly Dodged Questions about Trump’s Big Lie, Avoided Answering if she supports January 6 Commission
Denver, CO - In a recent sit-down with KOAA’s Rob Quirk in Colorado Springs, Colorado GOP Chair Kristi Burton Brown continued her pattern of ducking questions about former president Donald Trump’s Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen.
QUIRK: “President Trump continues with the stolen election, the fraud, all that stuff. Where do you come down on his comments still rehashing what happened and something frankly that can’t change?"
BURTON BROWN: "I come down on focusing on the future of Colorado. No matter what conservation we’re having, we talk about the solutions that make people’s future in this state better.”
In the same interview, Burton Brown declined to say if she supported or opposed a January 6th Commission:
QUIRK: "Six months ago today, January 6 riots. I know you just said, what happens on the national level and I've heard it from our El Paso County GOP Chairwoman saying, that's a whole other smoke. We got to focus on what matters locally but let's... let's be real about this. It impacts the entire country. This is a conversation about the future of democracy. Do you believe that the Congressional investigation of January 6th is the right way to go?"
BURTON BROWN: "I believe we need to focus on the issues that impact Colorado. When January 6th happened, every single Republican in the state said that violence was never the answer to achieving political goals, and that's what we continue to say, we need to move on.”
In a departure from Colorado Republicans like Congresswoman Lauren Boebert who have fully embraced the Big Lie, former Colorado GOP chair Dick Wadhams publicly denounced Trump’s Big Lie, arguing that it’s up to the Colorado GOP chair to not spend time on “2020 conspiracy theories”.
WADHAMS: “Spending any amount of time and energy on 2020 conspiracy theories is playing directly into the Democratic opposition’s hands.”
While Burton Brown had no qualms about suggesting there was fraud in the 2020 election during her run for Colorado GOP chair, she has quickly changed her tune on weighing in on the subject.
David Pourshoushtari, Spokesperson for the Colorado Democratic Party:
“The Chair of the Colorado Republican Party can’t just avoid this question forever. Trump’s Big Lie is responsible for the violent attempted coup on January 6, and many Republicans have stepped up to denounce these conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Why won’t Kristi Burton Brown?
“Does Kristi Burton Brown believe the 2020 election was stolen? Does she support a January 6 commission? Colorado voters deserve to know where the Colorado Republican Party stands on this question of democracy.”
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Jewish, Non-Jewish Constituents Send Boebert Letter Calling for Apology for “Needle Nazis” Tweet
Congresswoman Under Fire for Tweet Likening Health Workers to “Nazis”
Denver, CO - Congresswoman Lauren Boebert continues to remain silent in the face of national and local Jewish organizations calling her out for “trivializing the Holocaust”. Even after the official Twitter account for the Auschwitz Memorial called out her tweet likening COVID-19 vaccine outreach workers to “Needle Nazis”, the Congresswoman has issued no response.
Noting that one of the counties in Congressional District 3 is a leading hotspot of the contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, numerous Jewish and non-Jewish constituents of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District released a letter today calling on Congresswoman Lauren Boebert to both apologize and retract her “Needle Nazis” comment.
“Let us be clear: trivializing the Holocaust to score cheap political points is insulting to the memory of those who were murdered, and that is what your statement calling public health workers “Needle Nazis” has done. It is insulting to Jewish people who live here in the United States, who live in Israel, and who live abroad as we combat anti-Semitisim and anti-Jewish sentiment globally.”
Signers of the letter also include Jewish elected officials from outside of the 3rd Congressional District. The letter can be read here, and physical copies of this letter have been mailed to Congresswoman Boebert’s offices by the Colorado Democratic Party on behalf of the undersigned constituents.
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Colorado Dems Commemorate 4th of July
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement commemorating Independence Day:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“As we commemorate our nation's Declaration of Independence, not only should we celebrate the values of freedom, independence, and self-determination that we hold dear as a state and as a country, but we should also reflect on how we can work together to move our country towards a more perfect union.
"We are so lucky to live in the United States of America, and as we celebrate this day, we should acknowledge that the work to establish justice, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for every single American continues.”
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Colorado Dems React to Draft Maps from Legislative Redistricting Commission
The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement reacting to the draft maps from the Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
"This is the starting point in an important process to ensure every Coloradan has quality representation in their state government. Amendment Z calls for robust public input and engagement, and we encourage all Coloradans to participate in the public meetings over the summer to make their voices heard and inform the final map."
People interested in the redistricting process can go to the Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions’ website at https://redistricting.colorado.gov/.
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Colorado Dems React to Draft Map from Congressional Redistricting Commission
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement reacting to the first draft map from the Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
"Regardless of political affiliation or zip code, every Coloradan deserves quality representation in their government. While this preliminary plan seems to put a thumb on the scale for Republicans, it is too soon to know how the commissioners will change them. In the end, it will be critical that the final maps reflect Colorado’s communities of interest and public input across Colorado. We encourage Coloradans from all across the state to participate in the public meetings over the summer and submit their testimony on the maps."
People interested in the redistricting process can go to the Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions’ website at https://redistricting.colorado.gov/.
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Why Doesn’t Lauren Boebert Respect Capitol Police?
Denver, CO -- Congresswoman Lauren Boebert added yet another eyebrow-raising ‘No’ vote to her ledger this afternoon. In a vote this afternoon to award Congressional Gold Medals to honor the Capitol Police and those who risked their lives and personal safety to protect the U.S. Capitol on January 6, an overwhelming majority of both Democrats and Republicans in the House voted yes.
21 House Republicans voted ‘No’ -- including Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.
David Pourshoushtari, Spokesperson for the Colorado Democratic Party:
“U.S. Capitol police officers put their lives on the line to defend our nation’s capital from insurrectionists and domestic terrorists on January 6. Honoring their service shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but apparently, Congresswoman Boebert disagrees. Why doesn’t Congresswoman Boebert believe Capitol police deserve to be honored for their service? Coloradans deserve to know.”
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Sine Die! Colorado Dems Laud Blue Majorities for Productive, Historic Session
Denver, CO -- This evening, the Colorado general assembly adjourned sine die, bringing to a close one of the most consequential and productive legislative sessions in recent memory.
Amidst a global pandemic, Democrats in the State House and Senate took the lead on Colorado’s recovery on a number of fronts. This included:
- Major Transportation Funding
- A Historic Stimulus Package
- Rights for Agriculture Workers
- Increasing Access to Affordable Housing
- Tax Fairness for Lower Income Families and Small Businesses
- The Behavioral Health Recovery Act
- Additional Funding for the Office of Just Transition
- Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs
- Capping the Price of Insulin
Republicans, meanwhile, may be best known for dog whistling and racist remarks, infighting, and reported threats of violence against each other. That doesn’t even cover their legislative priorities of attacking voting rights and obstructing healthcare.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“In the face of a global pandemic, Democrats in the state legislature stepped up to lead Colorado’s recovery. While Republicans seemed more interested in obstruction tactics and stunts, Democrats took the lead on historic investments into Colorado’s present and future, passing consequential legislation that will support working families and small businesses all across the state.”
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Colorado Dems Blast Republicans for Blocking January 6 Fact-Finding Commission
Photo Credit: REUTERS/Leah Millis
A little over a week after Colorado’s Republican members of Congress voted ‘No’ on the bill, Senate Republicans used their first filibuster of the year to block establishing a commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Colorado’s Democratic members in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate supported the creation of this bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol. Yesterday, Senator Michael Bennet implored his Republican colleagues to stand up for democracy and support the January 6 commission.
Senate Republican leadership did not listen. In fact, as Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski put it, Senate Republicans seem more concerned that the commission would make Republicans look bad and complicit than they are about finding the truth.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“There was a time when investigating a domestic terrorist attack on our nation’s capital would unquestionably receive bipartisan support, but that’s not the case with today’s Republican Party. By blocking a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Republican Party has cemented itself as an unserious party that’s willing to turn a blind eye to our constitution, our safety, and our country for their cult support of the ‘Big Lie’ and blind loyalty to Donald Trump.
“Republicans in Colorado and across the country should feel embarrassed by their party leaders’ cowardice and pathetic servitude to a single one-term president above country and democracy. As sad as it is, the reality is that there’s only one major political party that actually believes in and fights for our Constitution and our democracy, and that is the Democratic Party. The Republican Party has clearly lost its way.”
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COWARDLY. Colorado Republicans Vote ‘No’ on Bipartisan January 6 Fact-Finding Commission.
Photo Credit: John Minchillo/AP
The U.S. House of Representatives just voted to establish a bipartisan national commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. While 35 House Republicans voted with Democrats to establish this commission to investigate the January 6 attempted coup, 175 House Republicans voted ‘No’.
Among the 175 ‘No’ votes were Colorado’s Republican members of Congress Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Congresswoman Boebert, Congressman Buck, and Congressman Lamborn caved to treasonous Trump. Their refusal to defend our country or any of our institutions is cowardly. Plain and simple. The fact that none of the three of them could bring themselves to support a bipartisan effort to investigate the January 6 attack on our democracy and nation’s capital is pathetic, but not surprising. With these votes today, Boebert, Buck, and Lamborn showed that their loyalties are to Trump above country, their constituents, and to democracy.”
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SPEAKER BOEBERT? 1st Term Congresswoman Already Eyeing Promotion?
Continuing her pattern of dodging local press and sticking with far-right media outlets, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert joined Newsmax for an interview yesterday and made another round of interesting comments. At the end of the interview though, the first-term Congresswoman casually mentioned her future ambitions unprompted:
“But, you know, maybe one day when I’m Speaker of the House, my first action will be to take those metal detectors and use them as target practice.”
Yep, you read that right. Congresswoman Boebert -- who hasn’t passed a single bill or made a single accomplishment for her district in her first term -- apparently wants to be Speaker of the House already.
It’s no secret, considering her multiple trips to Mar-a-Lago to rub elbows with major donors, or doing appearances in Pennsylvania and Ohio, that Congresswoman Boebert loves the political game. But the fact the Congresswoman, with no victories for her district to her name, would openly look to climb the political ladder is eyebrow-raising.
Congresswoman Boebert already has one GOP colleague in support of her campaign to be Speaker.
David Pourshoushtari, Communications Director of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Congresswoman Boebert has been on the job for less than six months and has accomplished nothing, yet she’s already asking for a promotion? Like a true sell-out politician, Congresswoman Boebert has her eyes set on climbing the career politician ladder and not on the needs of her district. Boebert’s constituents deserve a representative who will actually prioritize issues like protecting their water and public lands, not another career politician who is all talk and no action.”
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GO BLUE! Colorado Dems, State Parties and DNC Announce Historic Investment Agreement
Denver, CO - This afternoon, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and state Democratic Parties across the country -- including the Colorado Democratic Party -- announced a historic agreement of greater investment in state parties over the next four years.
For Colorado, which has seen major Democratic victories in 2018 and 2020, this means an increase in funding and investment in the Colorado Democratic Party to be able to support staffing, voter outreach, and local Democratic candidates running up and down the ticket.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“As a former state party chair, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison understands how critical strong investment in state parties is to winning elections, so we are thrilled by this exciting and historic news. Working people in Colorado have seen that when they elect Democrats, Democrats deliver for them. We know the Republican Party will literally say and do anything to try and claw back power for their wealthy donors and to erode our democracy, and we’re not taking a single vote for granted going into 2022.
“This increased amount of funding and investment will go a long way in supporting our efforts to meet with voters and communicate Democratic accomplishments as we continue the work of building a better future for all.”
The agreement includes:
- $15.5 Million for State Partnership Program (SPP): The new agreement increases monthly SPP funding for 50 state parties and DC by 25% to fund critical party infrastructure including staff, tools, and programming in the states.
- $5.5 Million for State Party Innovation Fund Grants: These grants will ensure innovation and early organizing by putting more boots on the ground throughout the country to help elect Democrats up and down the ticket in 2022. The program includes $5 million in funding for all 50 state parties plus the District of Columbia, along with an additional $500,000 for Dems Abroad and the territories. These competitive grants will primarily be used to hire staff in state to develop and implement innovative programs tailored for each state.
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POTUS SPEECH REACTION: Colorado Dems Hail Biden’s Vision to Support Families, Rebuild Infrastructure
Denver, CO -- The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement reacting to President Joe Biden’s first address to both chambers of Congress. The President laid out two major pieces of legislation that contain policies popular with Democratic, Republican, and unaffiliated voters -- the American Jobs Plan and the American Family Plan.
Halisi Vinson, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“This is what a President is supposed to sound like. President Biden presented an optimistic and ambitious vision for how our country can meet the promises of our Founding Fathers, and it’s clear that he has a much stronger grasp than his predecessor did of how people across our state and country need support. Democrats have made it clear with their words and actions that they are the party of working people, while Republicans have consistently stood in the way of policies that would support their constituents. Under President Biden, we’re getting back on track both as a state and as a country, and I think working voters are going to continue to see that Democrats are focused on passing policies that ensure the biggest corporations and wealthiest billionaires start to pay their fair share and that the economy is not rebuilt on the backs of working families!
“This was a homerun of a speech tonight -- period.”
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At 100 Days, POTUS Can Tout Billions in Colorado Relief, Colorado Getting Back on Track
Denver, CO -- This evening, President Joe Biden will make his first primetime address to a joint gathering of Congress, marking his first 100 days as President, and all the accomplishments Democrats have delivered for the American people.
A lot of stories have been written about how the American Rescue Plan has helped struggling Coloradans. Here’s how this popular legislation -- thanks in large part to Senator Michael Bennet’s American Family Act -- is supporting Colorado.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Economic impact payments of up to $1,400 per person for more than 3,365,700 adults and 1,364,600 children. This is 82% of all adults in the state and 81% of all children in the state.
- Additional relief of up to $1,600 per child through the Child Tax Credit to the families of 1,109,000 children, lifting 57,000 children out of poverty
- Additional relief of up to nearly $1,000 through the Earned Income Tax Credit to 299,000 childless workers, including many in frontline jobs
- $3.926 billion in state fiscal relief
- $2.088 billion in local fiscal relief
- More than $1.211 billion in relief for K-12 schools
Halisi Vinson, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Colorado is getting back on track, and that’s thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Governor Polis, and Democrats in the state legislature and in Congress -- with zero thanks to Congressional Republicans. For the past four years, Washington under Republican rule was laser-focused on making the rich richer and big corporations bigger, all while dragging its feet on meaningful help for working people. In just 100 days, President Biden has led an all hands on deck effort to get our communities healthier and economically recovered, all with a sense of urgency that was absent from the previous administration.
“Here in Colorado, our schools are receiving billions to get kids back in school safely, our small businesses are getting the support they need to reopen and stay open, joblessness is falling, and Colorado families are getting badly-needed relief. Make no mistake though, there’s still a lot of work to be done, and I am confident that tonight, we’ll hear a clear vision from President Biden on how he will continue to lead our state and our country back in the right direction -- even if Republicans continue to sit on their hands and refuse to do anything to help their constituents.”
BACKGROUND:
- "Biggest drop for new Colorado jobless claims in 2021". Colorado Politics, April 22, 2021.
- "Colorado Schools Receive Billions Of Dollars In COVID Relief Funding". CBS Denver, April 21, 2021.
- "More funding available to restaurants through the Small Business Administration". Summit Daily, April 27, 2021.
- "Colorado’s Local Governments Are Flush With COVID Aid Money — Now They Just Have To Decide How To Spend It". CPR News, April 19, 2021
- "Here's how much money Pueblo schools will receive from the American Rescue Plan". Pueblo Chieftain, April 9, 2021.
- "Local governments will reap millions of dollars from American Rescue Plan". The Aspen Times, April 6, 2021.
- "Local community health centers to receive millions in American Rescue Plan funding". KRDO, March 29, 2021.
- "Larimer County to receive $69 million from American Rescue Plan, $9.5 million of it going directly to Loveland". Loveland Reporter-Herald, March 17, 2021.
- "In Denver, Vice President Kamala Harris Spreads Word About COVID Relief Plan To Colorado Small Business Owners". CBS Denver, March 16, 2021
- "Sen. Michael Bennet Secures $100 Billion In Child Tax Credits To Help Lift Families Out Of Poverty". CBS Denver, March 13, 2021.
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Colorado Dems Welcome Official News of 8th Congressional District
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement reacting to the official news that Colorado will be a receiving an 8th Congressional District, according to news from the U.S. Census Bureau:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“This is good news all around for Colorado. Our state has grown so much over the past decade, with Colorado becoming one of the most-watched states in the union, and we have continuously punched above our weight at the national level. A new Congressional District means more representation for the people of Colorado, and that is welcome news.”
People interested in the redistricting process can go to the Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions’ website at https://redistricting.colorado.gov/.
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Colorado Dems Celebrate Earth Day!
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement commemorating Earth Day 2021:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“There is no Plan-et B, and I am so thrilled that under Democratic leadership at the state level and at the federal level, we’re working to build a better, cleaner future for our children and grandchildren. Thanks to Democrats in the state legislature, and under Governor Jared Polis’ leadership, we’ve been working to ensure our public lands stay in public hands, our air and water stay clean, and that we continue to invest in ensuring that not only we have modernized infrastructure, but we create the green jobs of tomorrow. Under President Biden, with the work of former secretary John Kerry and our Colorado Democrats in Congress, we’re seeing an effort to modernize our infrastructure that hasn’t been seen in decades.
“I hope fellow Coloradans will join us in enjoying Earth Day today, and that they join us in treating every day like Earth Day. Because we have this one planet we live on, and we can’t take it for granted.”
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THIS SATURDAY: Vice President Harris to Deliver Remarks at Colorado Dems' Annual Gala
Denver, CO - Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver pre-recorded remarks this Saturday at the Colorado Democratic Party’s 4th Annual Obama Gala (April 24 @ 5:00PM MT).
The first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected Vice President joins a line-up of national speakers for the Colorado Democratic Party’s virtual gala that is both a celebration of Democrats’ 2020 victories and a rallying cry to protect those victories in 2022.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“It is a profound honor to welcome the Vice President to the Obama Gala, and I know that our guests will be so excited to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris this Saturday. Colorado was critical to both electing President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris to the White House and flipping the U.S. Senate majority into Democratic hands. As we’ve seen over the past few months, they have been hard at work to build our country back better, delivering on sweeping relief for the American people through the American Rescue Plan and looking to revitalize our nation’s infrastructure through the American Jobs Plan. I am thrilled that we have such a rich line-up of speakers for our guests this Saturday, and I know they will come away fired up and ready to keep Colorado blue.”
Vice President Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California to parents who emigrated from India and Jamaica. She graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
Vice President Harris and her sister, Maya Harris, were primarily raised and inspired by their mother, Shyamala Gopalan. Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist and pioneer in her own right, received her doctorate the same year Vice President Harris was born.
Her parents were activists, instilling Vice President Harris with a strong sense of justice. They brought her to civil rights demonstrations and introduced role models—ranging from Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to civil rights leader Constance Baker Motley—whose work motivated her to become a prosecutor.
Growing up, Vice President Harris was surrounded by a diverse community and extended family. In 2014, she married Douglas Emhoff. They have a large blended family that includes their children, Ella and Cole.
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Colorado Democrats Statement on Guilty Verdict of Derek Chauvin for the Murder of George Floyd
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statements reacting to the news that the jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of all charges for the murder of George Floyd.
Halisi Vinson, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“No one is above the law. It is my hope that not only will today’s righteous ruling bring some semblance of peace to George Floyd’s family and loved ones, but to the many people that former officer Derek Chauvin assaulted and hurt in the past. Today is a good day, but we must continue to hold police officers who are hurting and killing people of color in our communities accountable. They need to stop killing us.”
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“I applaud the jury for making the right decision in this landmark case. But make no mistake about it -- not only should George Floyd be alive today, but so should Elijah McClain, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, and countless other men and women of color whose lives were taken without accountability for far too long. We need policing reform at the federal level, and we must continue the work to address systemic racism in our criminal justice system. Because Black Lives Matter.”
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WOW. Boebert Votes Against Cancer Patients, Protecting Seniors and Indigenous Communities from Scams
Lauren Boebert was the lone Colorado Congressional delegation member to vote against these three widely bipartisan votes.
Denver, CO - In a late round of voting last night, members of Congress voted on a number of bills that are typically noncontroversial and provide an opportunity for lawmakers to reach across the aisle and work together. Issues such as preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, combating predatory scamming, and small business loans. Commonly referred to as “suspension bills”, they are bills that typically gain virtually unanimous approval, even in today’s Washington, DC.
That’s why it was shocking that last night, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert took eyebrow-raising ‘No’ votes against the bipartisan National Marrow Donor Program, the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, and the bipartisan Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act. She was the lone member of Colorado’s Congressional delegation to vote ‘No’ on these three bills.
With her vote against bone marrow transplants and the cancer-fighting properties they have, Boebert joined a very exclusive club of two as she and Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene were the only two members of Congress to vote ‘No’ on reauthorizing the National Marrow Donor Program.
David Pourshoushtari, Communications Director for the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Lauren Boebert has repeatedly demonstrated that she can’t work with anyone to get anything done. If there’s an effort -- even a widely bipartisan one -- to help people in her district, apparently you can count on Lauren Boebert to oppose it. It is unconscionable that Congresswoman Boebert would stand in the way of cancer patients’ access to bone marrow transplants and the cancer-fighting properties they have, and that she would actually oppose protecting seniors and indigenous communities from predatory scams. Supporting these issues have historically been widely bipartisan, so it begs the question what Congresswoman Boebert actually stands for besides herself?”
BACKGROUND:
- Reauthorizing the National Marrow Donor Program is done through the TRANSPLANT Act, which has bipartisan cosponsors.
- The Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act has bipartisan, bicameral support.
- The Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act’s original sponsor is Republican Congressman Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma.
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Colorado Dems Condemn State Rep. Ron Hanks’ “Disgusting” Comments, Call on State GOP + House GOP Leadership to Join in Condemning
Denver, CO - This afternoon, during a debate of a bipartisan bill to strengthen civics education in Colorado public schools, Republican State Representative Ron Hanks made shocking, flippant comments in his remarks about the 3/5s compromise.
The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statements in response:
Shenika Carter, Chair of the African Diaspora Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“To call the comments made by Mr. Hanks today disgusting and ignorant would be a gross understatement. For him to downplay the indisputable, historical fact that enslaved Black people were treated less a person’s worth both in law and in practice is offensive and beneath the dignity of our state legislature. Mr. Hanks needs to apologize immediately, and he needs to educate himself before he makes ignorant comments with such recklessness in the future.”
Halisi Vinson, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“I don’t know when Republicans thought it became appropriate to whitesplain the historical experience of Black people in our country, but it needs to stop. The fact that Representative Hanks thought it would be appropriate to make a ‘joke’ about lynching -- especially at a time when we’re seeing a rise of racially motivated assaults on people of color across our country -- is utterly despicable. The Colorado Republican Party, and Republican leadership in the State House, need to hold Representative Hanks accountable and immediately join us in condemning his disgusting comments. Condemning such blatantly racist rhetoric from our elected officials shouldn’t be a partisan issue.”
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“From my time as a Colorado state representative to my time as Colorado Senate President, I can say these comments are inappropriate and just plain wrong. What I heard from Representative Hanks say on the floor of the State House this afternoon is an insult to the dignity of Coloradans and to the dignity of that chamber. He owes his colleagues, the people of Colorado, and all Black Americans a sincere apology for his ignorant and hurtful comments. Colorado Republicans should join us in immediately condemning these insulting comments and ‘jokes’ that Representative Hanks made today.”
BACKGROUND:
Representative Hanks’ comments can be viewed here and a transcript can be read here:
"Being called Mr. Lynch might be a good thing for what I'm about to say. No, just kidding."
"Going back to the founding, and going back to the 3/5ths, and I heard the comments and I appreciate them, and I respect them, But the 3/5ths compromise of course was an effort by non-slave states to not, to try to reduce the amount of representation that the slave states had. It was not impugning anybody’s humanity. It was an effort to, uh..."
(inaudible comment)
"Well it’s important to say. We had this conversation on one side, let’s talk about it on the other. Is this really racist to be talking about what the 3/5ths compromise was? I don’t think so, and I think it’s important. It’s part of the civics lesson here. It was brought up, and it merits discussion. That was an effort by the north to try to keep the south from having too much representation and push slavery beyond, and ultimately it worked out. It took a war to do it. It took 600,000 American lives. It took a lot of treasure. That’s the kind of thing that ought to be taught."
"We can talk, I guess, maybe this is a contentious issue it seems like. I didn’t think it was when I came up and said it but the hisses have proven me wrong."
Representative Hanks took part in the January 6th insurrectionist mob at the U.S. Capitol. Prior to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ inauguration, Hanks sent out a fundraising email claiming that the mob was the work of “antifa” and that “foreign intelligence agencies” may prevent Biden and Harris from being sworn in.
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