Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce the bipartisan Summit of the Americas Act to strengthen U.S. diplomatic leadership in the Western Hemisphere. The Summit of the Americas convenes heads of state to bolster ties and promote regional partnership, mostly recently in Los Angeles in 2022. U.S. Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Ill.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), and María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the House.
“Coloradans understand that the Americas share more than a hemisphere; we share a braided culture, an economy, and a common destiny that we must write together,” said Bennet. “We demonstrated this at the successful Cities Summit of the Americas in 2023 and must continue working to deepen these relationships by institutionalizing such summits at least every four years.”
“Our country is strongest when we trust and work with our neighbors,” said Hickenlooper. “The Summit of the Americas helps us tackle the world’s largest issues and strengthens our relationships with our democratic partners in the Western Hemisphere.”
The Summit of the Americas Act directs the Secretary of State to support the Summit of the Americas and codify the existing State Department unit to ensure implementation of Summit commitments and work with other U.S. agencies to ensure continued U.S. participation. The bill also expresses support for the Cities Summit of the Americas – of which Denver hosted the inaugural summit in 2023 – to continue as a key element of the larger Summit.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton convened the first Summit of the Americas in Miami to promote prosperity and enhance democracy throughout the Americas. Succeeding summits have elevated these and other issues like climate change and immigration.
“As Executive Director of the Biennial of the Americas, which proudly hosted the inaugural Cities Summit of the Americas, I wholeheartedly support the Summit of the Americas Act. This legislation is vital for empowering local leadership and fostering subnational diplomacy across the hemisphere,” said FloraJane DiRienzo, Executive Director, Biennial of the Americas. “By strengthening collaboration and driving innovative solutions to shared challenges, it builds on our mission to unite diverse voices and create lasting impact. The Biennial remains committed to advancing this important work for a more connected, equitable, and prosperous future for the Americas.”
In 2021 Bennet supported Colorado’s bid to host the 2022 Summit of the Americas, which took place in Los Angeles. Bennet and Hickenlooper led the effort to support Colorado’s bid to host the Summit of the Americas and Bennet spoke at the first-ever Cities Summit of the Americas in Denver in 2023.
Bennet and Cassidy are also the lead sponsors of the Americas Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill to drive shared economic prosperity, strengthen democracy in our hemisphere, counter the influence of China and Russia, and address some of the causes of migration. The Financial Times Editorial Board, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander General Laura Richardson, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle, and Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel Tovar have all endorsed the bill.
The text of the bill is available HERE.
