WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper announced that he will vote ‘No’ on Republicans’ continuing resolution (CR) unless Republicans work with him to lower health care costs, support rural hospitals, and end Trump tariffs. Government funding runs out on October 1.
Watch Hickenlooper’s announcement HERE
“At the end of the month, the federal government is going to shut down if Republicans don’t find seven Democratic senators to vote for their budget. I will not be one of those seven.
“I am not going to just rubber stamp their harmful policies.
“…If Republicans want to avoid a shutdown, they should restore the health care and nursing home care and support for rural hospitals that they voted to rip away, and they should take action to end the tariffs. If not, I’m a no vote on their continuing resolution.”
In July, Republicans passed their One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cuts more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to fund tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the ultra-wealthy. The bill is expected to strip health care from an estimated 15 million Americans, including 241,000 Coloradans, and put hundreds of rural hospitals nationwide at risk of closure. Hickenlooper voted ‘No’ on the bill after Republicans voted down critical Democratic-led amendments to prevent cuts to Medicaid, extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, and safeguard small businesses and nursing homes from Medicaid cuts.
Hickenlooper has also been a vocal opponent of the Trump administration’s trade war and the harm it is causing Colorado businesses. This summer, he chaired a field hearing of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee in Denver to highlight how tariffs are straining the outdoor recreation industry. Hickenlooper recently introduced the Small Business RELIEF Act, which would exempt small businesses from the Trump admin’s tariffs and give small businesses refunds for the tariffs they have already paid.Earlier this year, Hickenlooper voted against a similar Republican funding bill that gave the Trump administration broad power to hold up funding Congress had already passed into law.
To download Hickenlooper’s video click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks is available below:
“At the end of the month, the federal government is going to shut down if Republicans don’t find seven Democratic Senators to vote for their budget. I will not be one of those seven.
“I am not going to just rubber stamp their harmful policies.
“Look, I spent my whole career finding ways to work together with all kinds of people on all sides to help Coloradans — but Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington aren’t trying to work together — they’re trying to ram through their agenda, and it’s hurting too many people.
“Just when so many people – so many families – are really struggling, Republicans passed their “Big Beautiful Bill” that decimates health care for tens of thousands of Coloradans and forces premiums to skyrocket — all just to give new tax breaks to the ultrawealthy.
“When I was Governor, we expanded Medicaid to cover 400,000 more Coloradans. That’s what the Republicans are now trying to take away. I’m not going to agree to that. Ever.
“Plus, Trump’s tariffs are an extra tax on American households costing thousands of dollars every year. They’ve already been ruled illegal by the courts. It is Congress’ job to levy tariffs, and we need to take that back from the president NOW.
“If Republicans want to avoid a shutdown, they should restore the health care and nursing home care and support for rural hospitals that they voted to rip away, and they should take action to end the tariffs. If not, I’m a no vote on their continuing resolution.”
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