The Senate passed a bill introduced by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to ensure the National Forest Foundation (NFF) will continue to have the resources it needs to enhance and protect national forests and grasslands. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and a bipartisan group of 52 senators sent a letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid encouraging them to take action on funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Authorization for the LWCF will expire on September 30, 2015 if no action is taken. Established in 1964, the LWCF is one of America's most successful federal conservation programs, conserving irreplaceable lands and improving outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the nation. It requires no taxpayer funding. Colorado has received approximately $239 million in LWCF funds since 1964.

With a potential government shutdown looming at the end of the month, Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner today urged the Senate Rules Committee to expedite their bipartisan resolution to put pressure on Congress to avoid or quickly end a shutdown.

The Senate Agriculture Committee today passed a bill introduced by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to ensure the National Forest Foundation (NFF) continues to have the resources it needs to enhance and protect national forests and grasslands.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet applauded the Small Business Administration's (SBA) announcement today that low-interest disaster loans are now available to businesses and residents affected by landslides that began after April of 2015. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, and other assets. Disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair damaged real estate and up to $40,000 is available to replace personal property. Additional funds are available to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to prevent or minimize similar damage from occurring in the future.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet questioned Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing regarding the examination of the harmful effects of the Gold King Mine disaster. Bennet asked McCarthy about steps the agency is considering to clean up the Animas River, including the possibility of constructing a water treatment facility.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet testified today at the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing regarding the cause, response, and effects of the Gold King Mine disaster. Bennet and Senator Cory Gardner requested the hearing.

Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet cosponsored a resolution introduced by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the heritage, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans throughout U.S. history. Bennet is also cosponsoring a resolution introduced by Menendez and Reid designating this week of September 14th through the 20th as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week" to recognize the 409 nonprofit Hispanic-Serving Institutions throughout our nation for their critical work.

Today U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Burr (R-NC), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Advancing Targeted Therapies for Rare Diseases Act of 2015. This bipartisan bill will help advance the development of targeted drugs for patients with serious or life-threatening rare genetic diseases.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement on the administration's announcement allowing families to use earlier tax information when filling out the FAFSA.