Hickenlooper Statement on Vote to Pay Military

Senate Republicans blocked legislation co-sponsored by Hickenlooper to pay service members, national security civilians during shutdown

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked Democrats' effort to pass legislation to pay military service members, members of the Coast Guard, and civilians across all national security agencies during the Republican shutdown.

"Today, Republicans chose politics over people and rejected our common sense bill to protect pay for those who keep us safe during their government shutdown.

"Enough is enough. Our service members, Department of Defense employees, and intelligence professionals have rent to pay and families to feed."

Despite Republicans' control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, they have refused to negotiate with Democrats to fund the government and address Republicans' health care crisis.

The legislation, co-sponsored by Hickenlooper, would have ensured American service members continued to receive their paycheck amid the federal government shutdown.

Last week, Senate Republicans rejected a similar effort by Hickenlooper and his Senate Democratic colleagues to pay other federal employees and prevent the White House from illegally conducting mass layoffs of federal employees amid the shutdown.

This week, Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) announced that premiums for nearly 225,000 Coloradans would at least double next year unless Republicans work with Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits.

Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to pay for his huge tax cuts to the richest Americans. These cuts will lead to 15 million Americans - and 241,000 Coloradans - losing their health care.

Hickenlooper recently hosted a virtual conversation with five Coloradans to highlight how the Republicans' budget bill will jeopardize Coloradans' health care coverage and lead to skyrocketing costs. Hickenlooper also gave a speech on the Senate floor, condemning the health crisis Republicans caused when they passed their budget bill.

###