U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Waterway LNG Parity Act of 2015. This bipartisan bill would ensure that excise taxes on liquefied natural gas (LNG) for marine transportation on the inland waterways are levied at a rate consistent with their energy output relative to diesel and gasoline, respectively. LNG is a cheaper, cleaner, domestic energy source and the current financing mechanism for the inland waterways system puts its use at a disadvantage. This legislation would change the inland waterways financing rate to provide equal treatment within the federal tax code.

Following news today that the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) has initially denied the City of Fort Collins' application for a waiver from federal train horn noise regulations, Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and Representative Jared Polis are calling on the FRA to immediately reopen the train horn noise rules. The lawmakers are urging FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg to include more flexibility for Colorado communities like Fort Collins to establish quiet zones through town centers where train horn noise is stifling economic development.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today attended a bill-signing ceremony at the White House where the President signed into law a bill to fix No Child Left Behind. The bill, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the chief federal law addressing K-12 education, reforms many of the broken policies from No Child Left Behind, the previous version of the bill, while maintaining several key provisions that have proved successful.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined 84 of his colleagues today to give final approval to a bill to fix No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The bill, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the chief federal law addressing K-12 education, now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. It reforms many of the broken policies from No Child Left Behind, the previous version of the bill, while maintaining several key provisions that have proved successful.

The U.S. Senate this week passed the bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage, or RAISE Family Caregivers Act. The bill introduced by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet along with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and sustain a National Family Caregiving Strategy to support family caregivers. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today applauded the dedication of a piece of the wall of the USS Arizona, which sunk in Pearl Harbor, on behalf of Lincoln County resident Joe Will who was killed in the tragic attack. Lincoln County Commissioner Greg King reached out to Bennet's office at a town hall meeting in 2014 asking for help in securing the relic. Bennet's office worked with the Department of the Navy for more than 9 months to bring a piece of the ship to Colorado, which was recognized in a dedication ceremony Monday afternoon in Hugo.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today applauded the Senate's passage of the National Bison Legacy Act. The bill, cosponsored by Bennet, establishes the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States. It passed the Senate unanimously.

Following yesterday's action to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank), Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed Congress's action to renew the bank's charter through 2019. The Ex-Im Bank is an economic engine that has helped Colorado businesses finance the export of domestically-made products to international markets for more than 80 years. The measure was included in the five-year highway and transit funding bill that passed through both houses of Congress yesterday.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet signed an amicus brief Thursday in support of the President's executive actions on immigration.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today introduced an amendment to improve access to care for veterans across the United States. The amendment provides funding to hire more doctors, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals for facilities that serve our veterans like the one being constructed in Aurora. It will also help improve VA medical facilities that need upgrades and minor construction improvements.