The U.S. Senate Advances Appropriations Package Despite Colorado Senators’ Objections
The U.S. Senate moved forward with an appropriations package on Thursday, despite objections from Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet. Last month, the senators had blocked the bills in an attempt to prevent the Trump administration from closing a research center in Boulder.
The “minibus” measure, which provides funding for the Commerce, Justice, Energy, and Interior departments for the current fiscal year, was passed by the Senate with a vote of 82-15. The bill will now be sent to President Donald Trump for final approval.
Prior to the holiday break, Sens. Hickenlooper and Bennet had raised concerns about the Trump administration’s plans to shut down the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and relocate some of its operations. The administration had criticized NCAR as promoting “climate alarmism.”
Although the funding package cleared a procedural vote with a margin of 85-14, Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper pushed for an amendment to protect NCAR’s funding. However, the amendment was not adopted, and the senators ultimately voted against the package.
Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, opposed the NCAR amendment, citing potential procedural complications. She pointed out that the package included funding for the National Science Foundation, which supports NCAR, but did not specify funding for any particular recipients of NSF grants.
Sen. Hickenlooper emphasized the importance of protecting NCAR in his remarks on the Senate floor, calling on Congress to safeguard the research center. He stated, “In the face of relentless attacks from President Trump, we are united in defending institutions like NCAR that are crucial to our state and economy.”
Senator Bennet expressed disappointment over the outcome and pledged to explore all available options to ensure the protection of NCAR.
The appropriations package passed by the Senate is part of several measures being considered as Congress works to avoid a government shutdown by the January 30 deadline. Lawmakers still need to negotiate a spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security amid heightened tensions following the shooting of Minnesota resident Renee Good by an ICE agent.
This article was written with contributions from Denver Post public affairs editor Jon Murray, staff writer Nick Coltrain, and the Associated Press.
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