Summary
Current Position: US Representative of CO-07 since 2007
Affiliation: Democrat
Other positions:
Vice Chair, Rules and Organization of the House
Quote:
I appreciate the support of my colleagues. I’ve been talking for years about this serious public safety threat. Including #SAFEBanking in NDAA will help safeguard the financial system from illicit activity & protect Veterans. We cannot wait any longer to address this issue. Sept. 20, 2021
Featured Video:
Unplugged- Ed Perlmutter
OnAir Post: Ed Perlmutter – CO7
News
– September 2, 2021
Members of Colorado’s Congressional Delegation are among those calling for investigations into the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. They want to know, among other things, why the administration was caught so off guard by the takeover and what intelligence they had and when they had it.
“Americans want answers. Coloradans want answers. I want answers,” said Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger who served in Afghanistan.
He’s been calling for evacuations for months. The White House and intelligence community are pointing fingers at each other over who’s to blame.
“We have to make sure that we’re not to jump to conclusions, that we’re not trying to have a predetermined outcome… the United States Congress has an independent obligation to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch,” says Crow.
About
Source: Government page
Ed has deep roots in the 7th Congressional District and has lived in Jefferson County his entire life. His grandfather and father ran a concrete business (in what is now the 7th District) for decades. Ed attended Jefferson County public schools and then worked construction with his father during the summers while in law school at the University of Colorado. He chose to raise his family in the district where his three daughters also attended Jefferson County Public Schools. Ed currently lives in Arvada with his wife Nancy, a public school teacher, who also has three children who attended Jeffco public schools.
In 1994, Ed was elected to the Colorado State Senate as the first Democrat to hold the seat in nearly 30 years. He served two terms and garnered the reputation as a bipartisan bridge-builder and a champion of renewable energy and smart growth policies. In 2006, Ed was first elected to represent the 7th Congressional District in Congress and is currently serving in his seventh term.
Ed remains focused on representing the people of the 7th District and creating policies that give people the opportunity to pursue their own American dream. Ed believes working across the aisle to find common ground is critical for democracy and helps to better represent the individuals and families in his district and in Colorado. Specifically, Ed supports job growth by promoting energy independence by working with the Colorado School of Mines, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and other world-class private sector energy businesses as well as expanding Colorado’s role and economic development opportunities in the aerospace industry including the Orion manned space flight program and working on a long-term plan to get humans to Mars in 2033.
In the 117th Congress, Ed is proud to serve on four committees in the House: Financial Services; Science, Space and Technology; Rules; and the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. On the Financial Services Committee, Ed serves as Chair of the Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions Subcommittee. Ed is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition which is focused on harnessing American ingenuity and innovation to create new jobs, greater economic prosperity and a safer and more secure future for our county.
Committees
In the 116th Congress, Ed is proud to serve on three committees:
Financial Services Subcommittees
- Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions – Chair
Science, Space and Technology Subcommittees
- Space and Aeronautics
- Investigations and Oversight
Rules Subcommittee:
- Rules and Organization of the House – Vice Chair
Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
Caucuses
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Sponsored Legislation
Experience
Work Experience
- Colorado State Senate
1995 to 2003
Education
- B.A.
University of Colorado, Boulder
1975 - J.D.
University of Colorado, Boulder
1978
Personal
Birth Year: 1953
Place of Birth: Denver, CO
Gender: Male
Race(s): Caucasian
Religion: Christian: Protestant
Spouse: Nancy Perlmutter
Children: Zoe Perlmutter, Alexis Perlmutter, Abby Perlmutter
Contact
Email:
Offices
Washington D.C. Office
1226 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2645
Fax: (202) 225-5278
District Office
12600 West Colfax Avenue, Suite B-400
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 274-7944
Fax: (303) 274-6455
Web
Government Page, Campaign Site, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Campaign Site, Wikipedia
Politics
Source: none
Campaign Finance
Voting Record
Search
Wikipedia entry
Edwin George Perlmutter (born May 1, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Colorado’s 7th congressional district from 2007 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, his district was located in the northern and western suburbs of the Denver metropolitan area. He previously served as the Colorado state senator from the 20th district from 1995 to 2003. On January 10, 2022, he announced he would not seek re-election in 2022.[1]
Early life, education, and career
Perlmutter was born in Denver, the son of Alice Love (née Bristow) and Leonard Michael Perlmutter on May 1, 1953.[2] His father was Jewish, the son of immigrants from Poland; his mother was Christian, and was of English and Irish descent.[3] Perlmutter describes himself as a Christian.[4][5][6] Perlmutter graduated from Jefferson High School in Edgewater, Colorado and went on to graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1975.[citation needed] He received his Juris Doctor at Colorado in 1978.[citation needed]
Colorado Senate
Perlmutter was a Colorado State Senator from 1995 to 2003. He was elected to two four-year terms to represent central Jefferson County as State Senator from 1995 to 2003—the first Democrat elected in the district in 30 years.
He has assisted numerous campaigns and in was co-chair of the John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign in Colorado.[citation needed]
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
- Committee on Financial Services[7]
- United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
- United States House Committee on Rules
- Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress[10]
Caucus memberships
- New Democrat Coalition[11]
- Aerospace Caucus
- Cannabis Caucus
- Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
- Equality Caucus
- Labor Caucus
- NASA Caucus
- National Parks Caucus
- National Wildlife Refuge Caucus
- Olympic and Paralympic Caucus
- Pro-Choice Caucus
- Science and National Labs Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus
- Climate Solutions Caucus
Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act
Since 2013, Perlmutter and Rep. Denny Heck have introduced legislation to improve access to banking and financial services for cannabis businesses.[12][13] Initially known as the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act, it was rebranded as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in 2017.[14] On September 25, 2019, the House of Representatives passed the SAFE Banking Act by a 321–103 vote, marking the first time that a standalone cannabis reform bill had passed either chamber of Congress.[15][16]
Political campaigns
2006
Perlmutter won the Democratic nomination for the 7th district by defeating former State Representative Peggy Lamm and college professor Herb Rubenstein, with 53% of the vote in the primary. State education chairman Rick O’Donnell was unopposed for the Republican nomination. Dave Chandler, a Green, was also a candidate.
The seat was held by Republican Bob Beauprez, who was reelected to a second term in 2004 with 55% of the vote, after winning his first term by only 121 votes. He left the seat at the end of the 2004–2006 term, having failed in his bid to become Governor of Colorado.
In late September, O’Donnell was put on the defensive when ads appeared noting that he had previously supported abolishing Social Security. A Survey USA poll soon after that showed Perlmutter with a 54 to 37 percent lead, although GOP consultants guessed that the support was “soft”.[17] An October 4 poll released by Zogby showed Perlmutter ahead of O’Donnell by 45-34 percent.[18] Cook Political Report rating: Republican Toss Up. CQPolitics rating: No Clear Favorite.
In the end, Perlmutter (54%) soundly defeated O’Donnell (42%) for the congressional seat, helping Democrats to regain the majority in the U.S. House.
2008
Perlmutter won against Republican nominee John W. Lerew.[citation needed]
2010
Perlmutter defeated Republican nominee Ryan Frazier and Libertarian nominee Buck Bailey on November 2, 2010. The 7th Congressional district had been cited as a GOP target in 2010.[19]
2012
Perlmutter defeated Republican nominee Joe Coors Jr. on November 6, 2012. Perlmutter’s victory came despite new congressional boundaries that made his district 4 percent less Democratic. Perlmutter was ahead by 9 percentage points in Jefferson County, where 60 percent of the voters live. Perlmutter led Coors by 17 percentage points in Adams County, where 40 percent of the constituents in the newly drawn 7th district live.[20]
2014
Perlmutter defeated Republican nominee Don Ytterberg in the 2014 general election. He won with 55.1% of the vote.[21]
2016
Perlmutter defeated Republican nominee George Athanasopoulos and Libertarian nominee Martin L. Buchanan in the 2016 general election. He won with 55.18% of the vote.[22]
2018
On April 9, 2017, Perlmutter announced his candidacy for Governor of Colorado in the 2018 election.[23][24] On July 10, 2017, Perlmutter announced that he was dropping out of the gubernatorial race and would not seek reelection to his congressional seat.[25] However, on August 21, 2017, he announced he had reversed his decision again and ran for reelection for his congressional seat.[26] He defeated Republican nominee Mark Barrington, winning re-election with 60.42% of the vote.
2020
Perlmutter defeated Republican nominee Casper Stockham, Libertarian nominee Ken Biles, and Unity nominee Dave Olszta in the 2020 general election. He won with 59.1% of the vote.
Personal life
Perlmutter has three children. He and his first wife Deana divorced in 2008. In November 2010, Perlmutter married Nancy Henderson.[27] His uncle was Denver real estate developer Jordon Perlmutter.[28]
References
- ^ “Ed Perlmutter says he won’t seek reelection in 2022”. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
- ^ “Congressman Ed Perlmutter – About”. Facebook. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ^ “Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records”. freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ^ Jeralyn Merritt (April 7, 2006). “An Interview With Ed Perlmutter”. 5280. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
- ^ “111th Congress – Meet The New Members | Legislator | US Representative Ed Perlmutter”. 111th.illumen.org. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
- ^ “In the Senate, still 13 tribesmen-UPDATE | Capital J | JTA – Jewish & Israel News”. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- ^ “Committee Membership | Financial Services Committee”. financialservices.house.gov. Archived from the original on 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ “Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy | Financial Services Committee”. financialservices.house.gov.
- ^ “Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations | Financial Services Committee”. financialservices.house.gov.
- ^ “Membership”. Select Committee on the Modernization on the Congress. U.S. House Of Representatives. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ “Members”. New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ “SAFE Banking Act Introduced as Congress Looks to Address Cannabis Banking Issue” (Press release). Washington, D.C.: house.gov. March 7, 2019. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
- ^ “Perlmutter, Heck Introduce Commonsense Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act” (Press release). Washington, D.C.: house.gov. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020.
- ^ Wallace, Alicia (April 27, 2017). “New federal bill would allow banking for marijuana businesses”. The Cannabist. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ “SAFE Banking Act Passes U.S. House of Representatives with Overwhelming, Bipartisan Support” (Press release). Washington, D.C.: house.gov. September 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020.
- ^ Jaeger, Kyle (September 25, 2019). “House Approves Marijuana Banking Bill In Historic Vote”. Marijuana Moment. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ [1] Archived March 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ “Results in key House races: Reuters poll”. Washington Post. Reuters. 2006-10-04. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24.
- ^ Zeleny, Roger (2010-05-09). “Democrats See Hopes for West Dim in Colorado”. New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ Bartels, Lynn (2012-06-11). “Perlmutter wins fourth term, Coors tapped out in 7th district”. Denver Post. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ “U.S. Representatives”. Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
- ^ “Official Certified Results, November 8, 2016 General Election”. Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
- ^ Marcus, Peter (March 23, 2017). “Ed Perlmutter expected to announce a run for governor”. ColoradoPolitics.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
- ^ James Anderson (April 9, 2017). “Democratic congressman announces run for Colorado governor”. Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
- ^ “Ed Perlmutter to announce that he is dropping out of governor’s race”. coloradopolitics.com. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ^ Bunch, Joey (2018-08-21). “Perlmutter is back in congressional race, Moreno and Pettersen suspend campaigns”. Colorado Politics. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ “Perlmutters getting married on Friday”. Denver Post. 2010-11-25.
- ^ Westminster Window: “Longtime businessman Jordan Perlmutter helped develop Northglenn area” by Corrie Sahling December 14, 2015
External links
- U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter Archived 2007-07-25 at the Wayback Machine official U.S. House website
- Perlmutter for Colorado official campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
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Recent Elections
2018
| Ed Perlmutter (D) | 204,260 | 60.4% |
| Mark Barrignton (R) | 119,734 | 35.4% |
| Jennifer Nackerud (L) | 14,012 | 4.1% |
| TOTAL | 338,006 |
Source: Ballotpedia
Finances
PERLMUTTER, EDWIN G (ED) has run in 7 races for public office, winning 6 of them. The candidate has raised a total of $11,773,743.
Source: Open Secrets
Committees
Committees
House Committee on Rules
House Committee on Financial Services
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Subcommittees
Rules and Organization of the House
National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy
Oversight and Investigations
Space and Aeronautics
Voting Record
See: Vote Smart
New Legislation
Source: Congress.gov
Issues
Source: Government page
Since taking office in 2007, Ed has served on the Financial Services Committee and has sat on a variety of Subcommittees including Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises, Monetary Policy and Trade, and Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, and is now the Ranking Democratic Member on Terrorism and Illicit Finance. Ed has a strong record of standing up for consumers and supports hardworking Coloradans by helping secure a better future for themselves and their families.
Protecting Consumers
Ed worked to secure passage of the historic Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which holds Wall Street and big banks more accountable and protects our country from another financial crisis. Most importantly, Dodd-Frank established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) which restores accountability and responsibility to American taxpayers and protects consumers. CFPB’s enforcement actions have already resulted in $554 million paid in civil penalties and these funds can be distributed to consumers as a result of those predatory practices. In addition, payday lenders are now under federal supervision for the first time – protecting the 12 million consumers who take out payday loans every year.
Combatting Terrorism and Crime
As the ranking member on the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee, Ed is working to combat terrorism and crime by stopping their flow of funding. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over several offices within the Department of the Treasury working to disrupt terrorist funding networks. In response to escalating tensions with North Korea, Ed helped introduce legislation to impose strict secondary sanctions against North Korea financial institutions.
Support for Small, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
Ed played an active role in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) to help companies efficiently access capital markets while preserving important investor protections. As a long-time advocate for business, Ed worked on establishing crowdfunding portals and reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank which helps small businesses in the 7th Congressional District export their products overseas. Ed also helped establish the new United States Patent and Trademark Office, a satellite location in Denver which helps local businesses obtain patents for new products.
Access to Banking
Ed is leading the way to resolve the banking crisis marijuana-related businesses are facing with the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act. By updating federal banking laws and regulations to resolve conflicts between federal and state laws, the legislation allows marijuana-related businesses to access the banking system, ensuring these businesses do not have to operate on a cash-only basis. Allowing tightly regulated marijuana businesses the ability to access the banking system significantly reduces the public safety threat. Similar companion legislation was introduced in the Senate and continues to garner bipartisan support.
Making Government Work More Efficiently
Ed drafted and helped get signed into law bipartisan legislation (H.R. 5062) that clarifies the sharing of information between federal and state regulators that license, supervise or examine consumer financial products or services. This provides greater assurances to consumer lenders and helps to reduce regulatory burdens by ensuring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), state banking agencies and nonbank agencies coordinate examination schedules.
Making Housing More Affordable and Accessible
Ed has long sought to provide regulatory relief to Public Housing Authorities so they can better serve the needs of the most vulnerable. That is why Ed led the way on passing the Tenant Income Verification Relief Act allowing tenants on a fixed income to have their income certified and/or verified once every three years rather than annually. As more streamlined process helps to reduce the burdens placed on tenants for purposes of determining their eligibility for certain Federal assistance housing programs, including seniors and those on a fixed income.
Civil Rights
All Americans should be able to work, get an education, and participate in their communities without experiencing discrimination. Ed believes everyone should receive equal pay for equal work. That’s why Ed voted for both the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to close the wage gender gap.
Ed hailed the long overdue Supreme Court’s decision recognizing same-sex marriage, and continues to support legislation recognizing same-sex couples and their right to receive federal Social Security benefits. Ed is working toward sustaining the progress we have made on these issues and addressing new inequities that impact our communities.
Democracy
Economy
Ed believes our tax code should be reformed in a simple and fair way which is more conducive for economic growth. He did not support the Republican tax bill in December 2017 because it cuts taxes for the wealthy and corporations, leaving higher taxes for the hardworking people in the middle. We need to make critical investments in our infrastructure, housing, seniors and education but the Republican tax bill will explode the debt in the name of tax cuts for the wealthy.
Ed was one of a small group of Members of Congress called the “Brave 38” to vote for the Simpson-Bowles alternative budget amendment, showing his commitment and willingness to seriously tackle this country’s rising debt.
Education
Environment
Ed supports a balanced, all-of-the-above energy plan which includes responsibly developing fossil fuels while investing in clean energy like wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal, and other renewable energy sources. The 7th Congressional District is home to the National Renewable Energy Lab which is the world’s premier lab on the forefront of energy efficiency and developing clean and renewable energy technologies. Ed believes we must reduce the serious threat of climate change by promoting and incentivizing energy efficiency measures and decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels. Promoting energy independence will unleash American technological innovation, research and development, create jobs, and strengthen our national security.
Ed also believes we need to protect public and private lands to preserve them for future generations. Federal lands needs to remain under federal protection and everyone should have access to our national parks, national monuments, and national wildlife refuges.
Health Care
Ed believes healthcare is a right, and that medical decisions should be in the hands of patients, families, and their doctors. He supports the Affordable Care Act and the critical insurance coverage it brings to millions of Americans. The ACA means insurance companies can no longer deny access to affordable insurance coverage to millions of people with preexisting conditions. In Colorado and across the country, the Affordable Care Act is improving and enhancing the health of America’s families. Ed believes we should continue to improve the ACA to address the medical needs of Coloradans and preserve access to affordable, quality healthcare.
To that end, Ed recently cosponsored legislation to provide Americans ages 50-64 the option to buy into Medicare while helping to stabilize the ACA marketplaces and reduce overall costs within the healthcare system. Ed has also been working to improve transparency in healthcare pricing. Ed believes every doctor’s office and provider of healthcare should be required to publish the price of all their services so no individual or family can be surprised by huge medical bills.
Immigration
Throughout America’s history, our nation’s values and founding principles have been a beacon of hope for millions of immigrants striving to live in freedom. Ed’s ancestors, like most Americans, were immigrants who came to America seeking a better life. To this day, those same principles continue to draw people to our country.
Ed opposes the dangerous rhetoric on immigration coming out of this Administration. Ed has pushed for comprehensive immigration reform since his first day in office, and believes there is bipartisan support among the American people and in Congress to pass true comprehensive immigration reform. The time is now to move forward to fix the system, create American jobs, lower our deficit, strengthen our borders and give millions of undocumented Americans an earned pathway to citizenship.
Due to inaction on comprehensive immigration reform, we have seen the Trump Administration repeal the DACA program, implement a discriminatory travel ban, and enact a cruel “zero-tolerance” policy resulting in thousands of immigrant families being separated at the U.S.-Mexico border. Tearing families apart is outrageous, and Ed is doing everything he can to put pressure on the Trump Administration to reunite immigrant families as quickly and as safely as possible. Ed also continues to support the DREAM Act for young people who came to the country through no fault of their own and are Americans in every way except legal status.
Infrastructure
With many Coloradans feeling the squeeze of a growing economy and increased congestion, Ed believes we need a comprehensive infrastructure package in Colorado and across the country. Investments in infrastructure are a key component to our national economic growth. Addressing infrastructure means going beyond just roads and bridges and investing in all sorts of infrastructure in our communities, including transit, water projects, the electric grid, broadband and more.
The time is long overdue for Congress to address infrastructure in a bipartisan way with real investments in our communities to make a difference in the lives of hardworking families. This is an area of agreement between Democrats and Republicans, which is why Ed remains hopeful Congress can work with the President to pass a package this year.
A key component of any package Congress passes must be substantial federal funding to jumpstart other state, local, or innovative private financing. Ed is a supporter of proposals to create an infrastructure bank to provide loans to fund infrastructure projects. He also supports increased federal funding for the Highway Trust Fund and modernization of how we sustainably fund infrastructure moving forward.
Transportation funding for roads, bridges and transit largely come from federal sources. This has included funding for projects important to the 7th Congressional District such as the US-36 Express Lanes Project, the I-25 Managed Lanes Project, and RTD FasTracks’ expansion. As a part of these and other projects, Ed supports including better options for pedestrians and bicyclists. These are important to creating an integrated transportation system with multimodal transportation options for Front Range residents.
In 2015, Congress passed and Ed supported the bipartisan Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. This bill reauthorized our surface transportation programs for five years and provided guaranteed funding for highway, transit, and transportation safety programs including more than $3.4 billion in direct highway and transit formula funds for Colorado. It also provides certainty for CDOT, RTD, and local communities to help create jobs, repair our aging infrastructure, improve public transit, and strengthen our economy. Ed continues to support efforts to ensure the Highway Trust Fund becomes solvent to help guarantee these needed transportation investments in our communities.
It is clear additional investment in repairing our outdated infrastructure is necessary. Ed supports efforts to fund new transportation, transit, water, and other infrastructure projects so communities in Colorado can reduce congestion and improve quality of life.
Train Horn Noise
Railroads once helped transform Denver into a bustling American city. Today, railroads are still an important mode of transportation for freight and goods in addition to passenger transportation. Unfortunately for those who live near a railroad, trains sound their horns loudly as they travel through railway crossings. Ed has worked with communities impacted by train horn noise to try to mitigate the impact of the noise through activation of quiet zones. Yet these quiet zones often require significant safety upgrades to railway crossings and have become cost-prohibitive. As a part of the FAST Act, Ed authored an amendment requiring the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of train horn noise. Through increased pressure from Colorado’s congressional delegation, the Federal Railroad Administration is now working to modernize their rules and account for innovative technologies to ease the burden on local communities.
Safety
Gun violence has impacted too many families and communities in Colorado. Ed respects the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans and believes we can make common sense reforms to our country’s gun laws to make gun violence less easy, less frequent and less deadly.
As Vice-Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Ed supports requiring universal background checks, strengthening the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database, reinstating the federal ban on assault weapons, ensuring federal research into causes of gun violence, and specific legislation such as “No Fly, No Buy” and a ban on bump stocks and other devices which enable semiautomatic assault rifles to function as fully automatic weapons. In addition, Ed has introduced legislation to close the gaps in current federal gun policy by clarifying and expanding existing federal prohibitors related to mental health, substance abuse, history of violence, and other risk factors.
Stable and affordable housing provides opportunities for working families in Colorado to maintain a job, provide for their family, and have a place they can call home. As population and housing costs have increased across the metro region, Ed continues to work at the federal level to ensure accessible and affordable housing options are available for all Coloradans.
Since being elected to Congress, Ed has served on the House Financial Services Committee which has jurisdiction over many issues including housing programs such as Public Housing and all HUD programs. In recent years, he has sought to provide regulatory relief to Public Housing Authorities so they can better serve the needs of the most vulnerable while still ensuring accountability. Ed championed the Tenant Income Verification Relief Act which was signed into law on in 2015. In addition, Ed has worked to help secure a “Sustainable Community Initiative” grant worth $4.5 million for DRCOG to develop the Metro Denver region’s long-range plan for growth and development. Ed continues to support federal housing programs such as: Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; New Markets Tax Credits; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); HOME Investment Partnership Funds; efforts to fund the Housing Trust Fund; and Self-Sufficiency Programs to help constituents succeed on their own.
In 2014, Ed was recognized as “Legislator of the Year” for his contributions and support for affordable housing by the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
Social Security
Veterans
Veterans And The New VA Medical Center
Since taking office in 2007, one of Ed’s biggest priorities has been completion of the new VA Medical Center in Aurora. The new VA Medical Facility was plagued by problems for more than a decade, but the facility is now open and offering world-class services to Veterans across the Rocky Mountain region. Ed helped lead the Colorado delegation’s efforts to change the construction team on the project and fully fund completion of the facility. Ed continues to monitor the operations of the facility to ensure our Veterans receive the care they need and deserve.
Ed has also worked to put Veterans back to work when they return and ensure they receive the benefits they earned through their service to our country. Ed supports protecting and strengthening the post-9/11 GI Bill to ensure Veterans have access to their education and housing benefits and that DOD and the VA are collaborating on how to transition Veterans back home. Ed has also supported resources and legislative reforms to reduce the disability claim backlog. When Veterans are injured during their service, it’s our responsibility to get them the benefits they are owed.
In 2017, Ed held eight Vietnam War 50th Commemoration ceremonies and honored nearly 900 Vietnam-era Veterans in Colorado. Click here for more information.
Aerospace
| Ed’s number one aerospace priority is to secure a long-term plan from NASA to ensure it has the funding and resources necessary to land humans on Mars by 2033. This requires an all-hands-on-deck approach and will require new technologies and new capabilities we’ve only dreamed of which will create good-paying jobs and benefit us all back on Earth. Some of our nation’s other aerospace projects are being developed right here in Colorado including JPSS-1 and the GOES weather satellites to improve the accuracy of our weather forecasting models, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) project to analyze Mars’ upper atmosphere, the Dream Chaser spacecraft to deliver cargo to the International Space Station, and Orion multipurpose crew vehicle which is going to take our astronauts deeper and farther into space than we have ever imagined are coming straight out of Colorado. Ed is working hard to advance these priorities vital for Colorado’s aerospace economy and continued space exploration. |
Foreign Affairs
Russia – In January 2017, the U.S. intelligence community confirmed the Russian government took steps to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election. This action by a foreign nation is unprecedented and attempts to undermine the founding pillars of American democracy. Ed supports former FBI Director Robert Mueller’s appointment as special counsel to investigate the full impact of Russia’s influence in our election. Ed believes Americans deserve nothing less than an independent and thorough investigation.
ISIS – ISIS is a serious threat. The United States continues to take the fight to ISIS by destroying their capabilities and combating extremism abroad. We have the most robust and capable counterterrorism capabilities in the world and are working with our international allies to disrupt terrorist cells abroad and at home. Whether it is screening refugees, sustaining airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, utilizing U.S. Special Forces or cutting off revenue streams, the U.S. is working hard to degrade and destroy ISIS capabilities.
North Korea – Ed has serious concerns about escalating tensions with North Korea. North Korea’s recent missile launches and nuclear tests pose a direct threat to our national and global security. The international community must be united in its approach in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile program. Ed believes we need to enhance U.S. diplomatic efforts throughout East Asia by empowering the State Department to work with our partners in the region and throughout the world.
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – Ed supports the Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation Agreement negotiated by the United States, Germany, China, United Kingdom, France, Russia, the European Union, and Iran. The U.S. and its international partners have committed to a diplomatic solution that reduces and limits Iran’s ability to develop or manufacture nuclear weapons and is in America’s best interests. This Agreement has reduced nuclear tensions in the Middle East and made our friend and ally, Israel, safer and less prone to nuclear conflict with Iran. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed Iran is complying with the terms of the JCPOA. Ed will continue to support this deal and will not support any legislation that could terminate the agreement.
Israel – Ed has always advocated for a strong U.S.-Israeli relationship and has supported full aid to Israel. Congress has taken measures to strengthen Israel’s security from hostile regional players and provides Israel with annual FMF grants which represent about 21% of their annual defense budget. Ed has also long advocated for a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to co-exist peacefully. He believes the best way to advance a two-state solution is through direct, bilateral negotiations requiring willing partners on both sides.
Cuba Relations – Ed joined President Obama on his historic trip to Cuba in March of 2016 – the first visit by a sitting President in 88 years. Ed saw firsthand how Cuban citizens want to normalize relations with the U.S. As a relic of the Cold War, Ed continues to support lifting the trade embargo to begin the process of building trust and openness among our two countries because the current policy is outdated.
