Brittany Pettersen

Rep. Pettersen Votes No on Budget Resolution That Sets Stage for $70 Billion Expansion of ICE and CBP

Position: Rep. Pettersen opposes a budget resolution that would allocate $70 billion over three years to ICE and CBP, arguing the funding lacks accountability measures and diverts resources from other critical federal agencies and social programs.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) voted against Republicans’ budget resolution that would pave the way for up to $70 billion in funding over three years for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the reconciliation process. The bill initiates the budget reconciliation process, a fast-track legislative process that allows certain budget-related measures to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote. Republicans failed to include any meaningful policy reforms to ICE and CBP operations, such as body camera requirements and other accountability measures. Speaker Mike Johnson has consistently rejected the bipartisan Senate-passed Department of Homeland Security funding bill, which would fully fund all DHS agencies – including the Transportation Security Administration and the United States Coast Guard – while excluding additional funding for ICE and CBP. “Instead of working with Democrats to bring necessary reforms to ICE, Republicans are abusing the legislative process to give $70 billion to Trump’s lawless operations. The American people overwhelmingly agree that ICE is out of control and must be reined in. We were told that they would deport violent criminals, but instead, they are detaining children, deporting legal residents and refugees, and murdering U.S. citizens in cold blood with impunity. All while ripping health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans. “House Republicans have forced the longest government shutdown in American history because of their refusal to work with Democrats to ensure our TSA agents, FEMA workers, and members of the Coast Guard are paid and their critical services are uninterrupted. The American people are exhausted by the dysfunction in Washington and desperately want a functioning federal government. “From chaos at airports to missed paychecks for our federal employees, this incompetency has huge ramifications for the American people. Our country deserves so much better than this.” Rep. Pettersen consistently called for legislation to fund all agencies and offices – including TSA and FEMA – within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except for ICE and CBP. Additionally, she signed a discharge petition to force a vote on this legislation after House Republican Leadership refused to move the bill forward. Pettersen has also consistently voted against Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, including opposing over $70 billion in funding for immigration enforcement in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” She also supports legislation to require DHS and ICE officers to clearly identify themselves during enforcement actions, legislation that would reinstate protections that bar ICE from conducting immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, including churches, schools, hospitals, and non-immigration courts, and has demanded accountability from DHS. ### To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.

House Republicans Reject Pettersen’s Amendments to Protect Colorado Farmers, Families, and Wildfire Response

Position: Rep. Pettersen opposes the House Republican Farm Bill, arguing it fails to address tariff impacts on farmers, inadequately funds wildfire response and forest management, cuts food assistance programs, and lacks environmental protections. She advocated for amendments to compensate farmers for tariff losses, maintain wildfire response staffing, delay SNAP work requirements, and fund weather forecasting tools.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen released the following statement after House Republicans blocked her commonsense amendments to the Farm Bill that would have helped Colorado farmers, strengthened Colorado’s wildfire response efforts, and protected states from devastating SNAP cuts. “Farmers in Colorado can barely keep their heads above water – between Donald Trump’s illegal tariffs and his unauthorized war in Iran causing the cost of everything, including fertilizer, food, and fuel, to skyrocket. This misguided piece of legislation does nothing to address any of these urgent crises that are bankrupting families and farmers. “Instead, Republicans are giving big corporations the greenlight to destroy our forests, pollute our waters, and harm our children. We in Colorado are already feeling the disastrous impacts of the climate crisis every single day, from the increased wildfires to non-existent snowpack and historic drought. And this is only going to get worse in coming years, putting at risk the land that supports our farmers and ranchers, feeds us all, and powers our economy. “I’m deeply disappointed – but not surprised – that Republicans wouldn’t even hold a vote on these commonsense measures to make sure our kids have food on the plate, our farmers can get relief, and our future generations can continue to enjoy the places we love for years to come.” Every five years, Congress traditionally reauthorizes the Farm Bill on a bipartisan basis to support farmers, strengthen our food supply, and help families put food on the table. Instead, Republicans forced through a bill that fails to address the real challenges farmers and ranchers are facing, locks in Donald Trump’s cuts to food assistance, and protects multi-billion-dollar pesticide companies from accountability for serious health issues including cancer. Specifically, Pettersen’s amendments would have: Required the United States Forest Service to maintain staffing levels needed for wildfire mitigation and response, including personnel with Incident Qualification Cards (“red cards”) and employees who support wildfire prevention and emergency response efforts. Directed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to calculate financial losses farmers have faced as a result of tariffs imposed on or after January 20, 2025, and ensure producers are compensated for those losses. Delayed implementation of SNAP administrative cost shifts to states in Trump’s Big Ugly Bill until harmful work requirements impacting veterans, people experiencing homelessness, former foster youth, adults ages 55-64, and parents of school-aged children are repealed. Authorized the USDA to fund modern private-sector weather tools so farmers and foresters can better prepare for and reduce damage from extreme weather like droughts, floods, and wildfires. A full summary of House Republicans’ Farm Bill can be found HERE.

Reps. Pettersen, Salazar, & Sens. Collins, Warner Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bills to Help Family Caregivers Save for Retirement

Position: The release advocates for two bipartisan bills that would expand retirement savings opportunities for family caregivers by allowing them to contribute to Roth IRAs without income caps and providing catch-up contribution provisions, addressing financial hardship caused by workforce departure for caregiving.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07) and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) introduced two bipartisan bills that would help family caregivers better save for retirement. These bills, the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act and the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act, would help address the financial challenges faced by individuals who leave the workforce to care for loved ones, often sacrificing their own long-term financial security. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced companion bills to this legislation in the U.S. Senate. “Our caregivers do some of the most important but underappreciated work in our country – everything from cooking meals, to administering medications, paying bills, and driving loved ones to frequent medical appointments. But that care can take a toll on their personal lives, with caregivers taking a big personal financial hit when they take time from work to prioritize their loved ones,” said Representative Pettersen. “This can often have long-term impacts, which is why I’m proud to introduce these two pieces of legislation to make it easier for caregivers to save for retirement. Ensuring caregivers can take care of their own financial health ensures they can keep taking care of their families.” “Family caregivers provide critical support to their loved ones, yet many are forced to step away from work, limiting their ability to take full advantage of retirement savings opportunities,” said Senator Collins. “These two bipartisan bills would give these individuals a better opportunity to build a secure financial future and help ensure they are not penalized for the vital care they provide.” “Family caregivers often step away from the workforce to look after relatives, and by doing so, many end up missing out on key opportunities to save for their own golden years,” said Senator Warner. “No one should lose their own financial security because they provided essential care to a loved one. I’m proud to introduce two bipartisan bills that would give these caregivers the flexibility to continue contributing to retirement accounts and prepare for their own futures.” “Caregiving is one of the most important jobs, but our current policies penalize selfless Americans who look after their loved ones,” said Representative Salazar. “I’m proud to co-lead and reintroduce the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act and the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act, which will reward caregivers with new opportunities to secure a dignified retirement.” Specifically, the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act would: Allow family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA. Current law caps Roth IRA contributions at the lower of $7,000 or yearly income, limiting caregivers’ ability to save for retirement when their earnings are reduced due to caregiving responsibilities. By eliminating this yearly income cap for family caregivers, the bill would help ensure they can continue to save up to $7,000 for retirement even if their wages fall beneath that amount while caring for a loved one. Click here for the complete text of the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act. Specifically, the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act would: Allow family caregivers additional years of eligibility for the highest catch-up contribution levels in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Catch-up contributions currently allow individuals over age 50 to contribute above the standard annual limit, with even higher limits available for those ages 60 to 63. These provisions are designed to help individuals make up for years when they were unable to save. Building on that approach, this bill would allow full-time family caregivers to qualify for up to five additional years of maximum catch-up contributions. Click here for the complete text of the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act. Both pieces of legislation are endorsed by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the American Benefits Council, the Edward Jones Grassroots Task Force, the Insured Retirement Institute, and the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). The Catching Up Family Caregivers Act is also endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association. To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.

Rep. Pettersen Helps Introduce Articles of Impeachment Against Secretary Pete Hegseth

Position: Rep. Pettersen co-introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, alleging unauthorized military strikes against Iran without congressional approval, violations of the law of armed conflict resulting in civilian casualties, mishandling of classified information, obstruction of congressional oversight, and conduct undermining public confidence in the Department of Defense.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) joined Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Steve Cohen (TN-07), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Dina Titus (NV-03), David Min (CA-47), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Sarah McBride (DE-AL) in introducing articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The legislation follows Hegseth’s role in launching Donald Trump’s unauthorized war in Iran, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties, including the bombing of a girls’ school in Minab. “Pete Hegseth is wildly incompetent – he’s blindly carrying out Donald Trump’s unauthorized war in Iran that endangers the lives of our troops, our national security, and our standing in the world. His actions are reckless, violate our Constitution and international law, and have created a global crisis. “As a mom, my heart breaks for the families and children caught in the middle of this conflict, including the hundreds of girls whose lives were stolen while they were simply trying to go to school. They have no clear strategy, no regard for human life, and no plan to get us out. “From SignalGate to this reckless escalation, it is clear he is unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense. We have the most unqualified cabinet leading us through this crisis, and the American people have absolutely no confidence in Hegseth to do this job. It’s time for Pete Hegseth to resign – or we will remove him from office.” Specifically, the Articles of Impeachment filed today: Article I alleges that Hegseth authorized U.S. military strikes against Iran without seeking congressional approval, exposing American service members to unnecessary risk and exceeding the constitutional limits of executive war powers. Article II alleges violations of the law of armed conflict, including authorizing or failing to prevent military actions that resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. Article III alleges gross negligence in the handling of classified military information related to the “Signalgate” incident, in which sensitive operational details were improperly shared, potentially putting U.S. personnel and national security at risk. Article IV alleges obstruction of congressional oversight by failing to provide complete and timely information about military operations, including withholding details related to civilian casualties and operational conduct across multiple regions. Article V alleges conduct that undermines public confidence in the Department of Defense and the U.S. armed forces, citing actions and policies that critics argue have damaged institutional credibility and trust. Full text of the Articles of Impeachment can be found HERE. ### To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.

At Press Conference, Rep. Pettersen Unites Leaders to Announce Her Legislation to Protect Colorado’s Progress in Combating Opioid Epidemic Amid Federal Cuts

Position: Rep. Pettersen opposes the elimination of Section 1115 Waivers in Trump's legislation and introduced the Save Money, Save Lives Act to restore them, arguing that these waivers enable states like Colorado to expand Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder treatment, which has reduced overdose deaths and improved recovery outcomes.

Click Here for a downloadable version of this photo and others LAKEWOOD – Yesterday, at a press conference with local leaders, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) introduced legislation – the Save Money, Save Lives Act – to repeal a provision in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that eliminates Section 1115 Waivers. These waivers allow states like Colorado to tailor Medicaid programs, including covering inpatient and residential treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). Expanding access to treatment not only saves lives, it reduces costly emergency care and hospitalizations, lowering long-term health care costs while helping people recover and rebuild their lives. As a state lawmaker, Pettersen led the charge for Colorado to apply for a Section 1115 Waiver to cover residential substance use treatment after her mother, Stacy, was repeatedly unable to access the care she needed. Before treatment was available, Stacy overdosed more than 20 times in a single year and cycled in and out of emergency rooms. Because Rep. Pettersen never stopped fighting to save her mom’s life, Stacy recently celebrated eight years in recovery. Since the waiver took effect in 2021, it has transformed Colorado’s approach to substance use treatment. Today, 15,000–20,000 people each year are able to access licensed residential and intensive SUD services, with nearly 50,000 Coloradans receiving support across the continuum of care annually. Over the first five years of the program, Colorado expanded its network of residential treatment providers statewide, integrated medication-assisted treatment and naloxone across emergency departments, primary care settings, and community health clinics, and expanded coverage for inpatient mental health care. Thanks in large part to Pettersen’s efforts, Colorado also saw a 35% decline in fentanyl-related deaths last year. “This bill came from my experience fighting to save my mom’s life and seeing firsthand how broken our system was,” said Pettersen. “I watched her beg for help with nowhere to go, overdosing more than 20 times in her last year struggling until she was finally able to get the help that she desperately needed. She will soon celebrate 9 years in recovery and is an example of what’s possible when people get the help they desperately need. “I fought alongside so many advocates who were with me yesterday to ensure that Medicaid covered substance use disorder treatment – drawing down hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for treatment and delivering the most important policies we’ve passed in the history of our state to increase our capacity for essential medical care and that saved countless lives. But the very waiver that Colorado relies on was eliminated in the Big Ugly Bill which is why I am fighting to change it. We must protect the progress we have made.” Rep. Pettersen was joined by Cristen Bates, Deputy Medicaid Director and Office Director for CO Medicaid & CHP+ Behavioral Health Initiatives and Coverage at HCPF; Sarah Alquist the President of Jefferson Center; Racquel Garcia the Founder of Hard Beauty and Chair of CO’s Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council; Dr. Robert Valuck; and other advocates. This legislation is just the latest in Pettersen’s ongoing efforts to address the opioid epidemic in Colorado and across the country. In the state legislature, she spent a decade championing policies to improve access to substance use disorder treatment and has been working on the federal level to combat this crisis head-on. Pettersen has also introduced measures to address everything from the import of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the financing of drug cartels, expanding access to treatment, and preventing overdose deaths by ensuring airplanes, law enforcement and hospitals are able to distribute naloxone when necessary. Click HERE for the full text of the bill. Section 1115 Medicaid Waivers allow states to tailor their Medicaid programs. In addition to covering residential and inpatient SUD care, Colorado’s waiver covers: Re-entry services for adults and youth transitioning from correctional facilities. Continuous eligibility for children 0-3 years and 12 months of continuous coverage for individuals leaving incarceration. Health Related Social Needs (HRSN), housing and nutrition supports. Provisions included in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” change how budget neutrality is calculated for Section 1115 waivers, making it significantly more difficult for states to maintain or renew programs that expand access to treatment. Rep. Pettersen’s legislation would repeal this harmful provision, preserving states’ ability to continue delivering life-saving treatment while saving money in the long-term. To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.

Rep. Pettersen Statement on Republicans’ Ongoing DHS Shutdown

Position: Rep. Pettersen opposes House Republicans' refusal to vote on Senate-passed legislation to fund most DHS agencies (TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard) while excluding ICE and CBP funding. She argues the shutdown has forced federal employees to work without pay and caused airport delays, and characterizes Republican obstruction as holding federal workers hostage.

Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) released the following statement after House Republican Leadership refused to allow a vote on Senate-passed legislation to fund the majority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – including Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The legislation excluded funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). For weeks, Democrats have called for Republicans to fund the critical agencies and offices under DHS that serve the American people as tens of thousands of TSA workers were forced to work without pay. The prolonged partial government shutdown led to staffing shortages and historic airport delays nationwide only expected to get worse as the impasse continues. “For more than 40 days, Republicans and Donald Trump have forced hardworking federal employees – including TSA officers who are already understaffed and overworked – to work around the clock without receiving a paycheck. Then, once Trump was no longer standing in their way, Republicans in the Senate did the right thing and worked with Democrats to pass legislation to pay our TSA agents, FEMA, and members of the Coast Guard. “Let’s be clear: House Republicans are holding our federal employees hostage by refusing to move forward with this bipartisan legislation. This dysfunction means more mayhem at our airports and more suffering for the American people. “There is no excuse for this constant chaos. This is not how our government is supposed to work, and it only undermines trust both here at home and abroad. Our country is completely and utterly exhausted by their incompetence.” Rep. Pettersen consistently called for legislation to fund all agencies and offices – including TSA and FEMA – within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except for ICE and CBP. Additionally, she signed a discharge petition to force a vote on this legislation after House Republican Leadership refused to move the bill forward. Pettersen has also consistently voted against Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, including opposing over $75 billion in funding for immigration enforcement in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” She also supports legislation to require DHS and ICE officers to clearly identify themselves during enforcement actions, legislation that would reinstate protections that bar ICE from conducting immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, including churches, schools, hospitals, and non-immigration courts, and has demanded accountability from DHS.

Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act Approved in House Committee

In a victory for special districts across the country, last week, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act. The legislation (H.R. 2766), which is sponsored by Representatives Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), cleared the committee on a strong, bipartisan vote of 32-8. To view the committee's action on H.R. 2766, please click here. The discussion on the bill begins at the 8:15 mark. The Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act embodies NSDA's longstanding objective of codifying in federal law a first-ever, formal definition of special district. In addition to establishing such a definition, H.R. 2766 would direct the White House Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance to federal agencies requiring special districts to be recognized as local governments for the purpose of federal financial assistance determinations. Looking ahead, the legislation is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives at some point in the near future. As of this writing, it is unclear exactly when House leaders will schedule the bill for a floor vote. In the meantime, special districts are encouraged to reach out to their House delegation members to urge them to support H.R. 2766.

ASA Applauds Congressional Support for Non-Opioid Pain Treatments

Position: Congressional leaders and the American Society of Anesthesiologists oppose proposed Medicare coverage restrictions on peripheral nerve blocks and other non-opioid pain treatments, arguing that maintaining access to these procedures is essential for chronic pain management and combating opioid misuse.

Newswise — The American Society of Anesthesiologists, along with a coalition of pain medicine organizations, applauds the bipartisan group of 25 Congressional leaders for their support of access to non-opioid pain treatments, part of an ongoing fight against the opioid abuse epidemic. In their Congressional letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS), the lawmakers urge the agency not to advance the recently proposed policies that deny coverage of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), a safe and effective non-opioid pain treatment, to ensure that Medicare continues to cover vital procedures for patients with chronic pain. ASA applauds Rep. Brittany Pettersen and Rep. Claudia Tenney, who led the request to CMS. “As our nation continues to recover from the ongoing impacts of the opioid abuse epidemic, non-opioid alternatives are a critical component to ensuring pain management and increased quality of life,” said ASA President Patrick Giam, MD. “Anesthesiologists are experts in pain management and we strongly urge CMS to take action to continue access to peripheral nerve blocks and similar procedures.” The proposals would deny coverage for peripheral nerve blocks and procedures for chronic pain and were put forth by five Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), who determine policy coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. The Pain Medicine Coalition, made up of ASA, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA PM), the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS), and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), strongly oppose the proposals. As the lawmakers stated in their letter: “Should non-opioid procedures become unavailable to patients who frequently need pain management treatment, it is possible it could result in a spike in opioid use and misuse. Access to effective treatments, like PNBs, that avoid exposure to addictive opioid drugs are crucial to fighting the opioid epidemic that continues to claim the lives of Americans.” ASA, the Pain Medicine Coalition, and many others in the pain medicine community have been very vocal regarding their concern for chronic pain patients as a result of these ill-advised policies. ASA has submitted its own formal communication and joined with the many pain societies in the Multisociety Pain Workgroup to send additional communication to the MACs. Physician leaders and staff from the Pain Medicine Coalition also met with the MACs to emphasize the strong clinical, scientific, and anecdotal evidence that exists to support the use of PNBs for chronic pain and restoring patients’ quality of life. ASA joins the lawmakers in urging the MACs not to move forward with these proposals, and withdraw them in response to this overwhelming concern and the harm it would cause to patient care. About the American Society of Anesthesiologists Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 60,000 members organized to advance the medical practice of anesthesiology and secure its future. ASA is committed to ensuring anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of all patients before, during and after surgery. ASA members also lead the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units, as well as treat pain in both acute and chronic settings. For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about how anesthesiologists help ensure patient safety, visit asahq.org/madeforthismoment. Follow ASA on Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

Evergreen shooting prompts Colorado bill requiring faster social media response to search warrants

DENVER — State lawmakers are set to discuss a bill Wednesday that would require social media companies to respond to search warrant requests quicker. HB26-1255 was created in response to the shooting at Evergreen High School in September. v Denver7 was told then that the FBI was looking into social media posts made by the 16-year-old shooter, just two months before he critically injured two students. However, they couldn't identify who exactly was making the posts. "There was some stuff that was kind of happening as events were unfolding before the shooting actually happened. And if we could nip something in the bud early on, before it gets to the point like it did here at Evergreen high school, I think that's better for the community," Josh Work, head chef at Wildflower Cafe, said. We met just a couple days after the shooting. He was offering free breakfast to students. "I think we're very much on the mend," he said. The bill would require social media companies to acknowledge the receipt of a search warrant about a potentially dangerous person within 8 hours, provide status updates to law enforcement agencies on complying with the warrant and respond to the search warrant, pending changes from the court, within 24 hours. "My initial take is that we, so much of our lives is digital and having participating in things that could be problematic or dangerous to the community. I think if a social media company has that sort of information, they should hand it over as fast as possible and try to prevent another another shooting like the one that happened here at Evergreen," Work said. Rep. Brittany Pettersen has also introduced the "Evergreen Community Safety Act," which require much of the same from social media companies, but they'd have 72 hours to respond to the search warrant instead of 24. Denver7 reached out to Meta, X and TikTok for their comment on HB26-1255. We've only heard back from Meta who declined to comment. We also reached out to those who oppose the bill. Anaya Robinson, the policy director with the ACLU sent Denver7 the following statement: “Our concern with the bill is mainly in the Duty to Report section. The bill, as currently written, would allow social media platforms to be the arbiters of what is and is not protected speech, rather than the courts. Once that decision is made, private information is mandated to be handed over to law enforcement, including the IP address, uniform resource indicator, email address, and digital address of the user. All data that, in most circumstances, law enforcement would need a judicial warrant or exigent circumstances to access. This bill does not require a warrant, but alternatively requires the platform to hand the private data over to law enforcement, regardless of the existence of a judicial warrant or exigent circumstances, within 24 hours, clearly circumventing the 4th amendment protections of platform users.”

House Passes Pettersen’s Bill to Bolster Post-Disaster Recovery Efforts

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the bipartisan Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act introduced by Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Chuck Edwards (NC-11). This bill would help communities impacted by natural disasters recover and rebuild more resilient to future threats through reforestation and restoration efforts. Over 3 million Coloradans – more than half of the state’s population – live in a moderate to high-risk wildfire area. As wildfires become increasingly common, it is crucial to invest in post-disaster recovery strategies, including reforestation and restoration efforts, to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems and protect communities from future disasters. “As wildfires become a year-round threat, prioritizing post-disaster recovery is critical to making sure our communities have what they need to recover and rebuild more resilient to future threats,” said Pettersen. “That means restoring damaged land by investing in reforestation and restoration efforts to reduce the risk of future catastrophic fires. I’m thankful for the partnership of Congressman Edwards and will keep working to get this signed into law so we are better prepared for wildfires and other threats for generations to come.” Specifically, the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act would: Require the Department of Interior, in coordination with states, local governments, tribes, and colleges to identify critical lands in need of rehabilitation after natural disasters and support projects through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. The legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: The Nature Conservancy, American Forests, National Association of Counties, the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.