First Bill Hearing and More!

Dear Friends,

This past week has been an exciting one in D.C. with the first Committee hearing on one of my first bills, the introduction of our 9th piece of legislation, which would expand access to affordable textbooks, my appointment as a leader of the Poverty & Opportunity Task Force, and so much more!

A MAJOR LEGISLATIVE HEARING FOR THE CORE ACT

Last week the House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act. Introduced by myself and Senator Michael Bennet, this bill will conserve about 400,000 acres of public lands across the state of Colorado.

I was so thrilled to have supporters from across Colorado in attendance at this hearing, including Dan Gibbs the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources who spoke in support of the bill.

The CORE Act was crafted by Coloradans over a decade of collaboration, and comes with input from our local elected officials, outdoor recreation businesses, conservation groups, ranchers and sportsman. Public lands define who we are as Coloradans; they create the foundation of our state’s economy, they inspire our commitment to sustainability, and they define our state’s character. I’m grateful to be able to work with community members from across our great state on this bill to preserve and invest in Colorado’s precious public lands, and look forward to more actions on this bill very soon!

APPOINTED VICE CHAIR OF HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION ON THE POVERTY & OPPORTUNITY TASK FORCE

On Tuesday it was announced that I will be the Vice Chair on Housing and Transportation in the Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. The Task Force works to bring attention to the need for comprehensive efforts to eradicate poverty. I’m honored to serve as the Vice Chair on Housing and Transportation as both of these issues are incredibly important to Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District. As our communities expand, and the economy changes, many in our communities find it more and more difficult to live where they work. Therefore, it is essential that we fully invest in affordable housing options and infrastructure that meets the needs of our mountain communities and our growing city centers. I look forward to working with the Task Force to enact common-sense legislation that invests in our communities and provides opportunity for individuals across Colorado and across our country.

MAKING TEXTBOOKS MORE AFFORDABLE

On Thursday I introduced the Affordable College Textbook Act—the 9th bill I have introduced since being sworn into office. The bill would encourage the use of free, open access textbooks on college campuses to provide more affordable alternatives to traditional textbooks and help reduce the cost burden of college education for students in Colorado and across the country.

INTRODUCING BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO END STATE-FEDERAL CONFLICT IN OUR CANNABIS LAWS

Also on Thursday, I joined the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States, or STATES Act, of 2019, as an original cosponsor and co-lead. This bipartisan legislation would eliminate conflicts between state and federal law, enabling states to determine their own cannabis laws.

This affirmation in federal law would help ease the challenges currently faced across our state and open up the cannabis industry’s access to banks and loans. As a Representative of Colorado, which continues to pioneer and champion safe and responsible recreational cannabis sales, I am pleased to support this legislation to ensure the continued success of that industry for our state's economy.

FIGHTING FOR PAY EQUITY

Finally, we recently made progress for equality in the U.S. House with the passage of H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act. Women who work full-time year-round are paid, on average, only 80 cents for every dollar paid to men—resulting in an average gap of $10,169 each year. This gap exists in every state, regardless of geography, occupation, education, or work patterns. And it is even worse for women of color. On average Latina women are paid 53 cents, Native American women 58 cents, and Black women 61 cents for every dollar that white, non-Hispanic men make.

The Paycheck Fairness Act will help to close these gaps by helping to break patterns of pay discrimination and strengthening workplace protections for women. On behalf of my daughter, my wife, and all of the women I represent, I was proud to vote for this legislation on the House Floor!

Every day I spend in the U.S. House, I am reminded of the tremendous honor it is to serve you and of all the progress that hard work, dedication, and collaboration can bring about. I look forward to continuing to work for our shared goals!

Sincerely,

Joe Neguse

Member of Congress