Washington, DC – Following the end of the Senate’s four-week Congressional work period which failed to produce legislation on major issues like jobs and the economy, Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today released the following statement:
“The Senate just closed the book on a month-long legislative ‘work’ period, but because of filibusters by a determined obstructionist minority of senators, Congress has very little to show for it. With so many pressing issues facing this nation, the American people see more gridlock, more political games, more bickering. The problem has gotten so bad that the Senate can’t even reach agreement to vote on important issues, or in some cases, even to debate them. No vote on unemployment insurance and tax cuts. Blocked from voting on a small business jobs bill. The Senate cannot even get agreement to vote on Wall Street reform after the big Wall Street banks sent our economy tumbling into the worst recession since the Great Depression. Even something as simple as giving subpoena power to investigate the oil spill in the gulf is halted by one unknown Senator who has placed a ‘secret hold’ on it. The problem is not merely having too few votes to pass legislation, it’s also getting Senators to agree to even debate the issues.
“We need to bring some Colorado commonsense to Washington and move forward on important issues during these tough times. We need to reform Washington more now than ever to make sure it works for the people of Colorado and all Americans.”
Bennet has introduced a Plan for Washington Reform to usher in sweeping changes that will limit Members of Congress and their staffs from becoming lobbyists; provide more transparency and accountability in the earmarking process; reform the filibuster in a responsible and practical way; eliminate secret holds; and implement new rules for campaign finance.