Joint Press Release: Bennet, Hickenlooper, Coloradans Celebrate Senate Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act

August 09, 2022

On Sunday, the Senate Passed The IRA to Lower Costs, Fight Climate Change, and Transition to a Clean Energy Economy

Denver – Today, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined Coloradans to celebrate Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.  Bennet and Hickenlooper secured critical resources and provisions in the historic legislation to lower health care and prescription drug costs, tackle climate change, reduce the U.S. deficit, and help fight inflation for hard-working Coloradans. The bill is paid for by making wealthy corporations pay their fair share. 

Bennet and Hickenlooper were joined by Colorado patients and representatives from Connect for Health Colorado, Colorado AARP, BlueGreen Alliance, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Conservation Colorado, and more.

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass this bill on Friday.

“It was wonderful to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act in Denver today with Coloradans who will benefit from these investments,” said Bennet. “From lowering drug costs to fighting climate change, this historic bill is a major step toward pursuing an agenda in Washington that reflects the needs of Colorado.”

"Fifty years from now this will be called the start of The Great Transition. When we transitioned to a clean energy economy. When we took a decisive step in the fight against climate change,” said Hickenlooper.

"For the first time ever, the US is poised to pass comprehensive climate legislation. After working on climate change for 30 years, last night I looked my teenage daughters in the eye and told them that Congress was taking serious action to build a clean energy future. They said 'it's about dang time!’” said Kelly Nordini, CEO, Conservation Colorado.

“Hispanics Enjoying Camping Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO) applauds the historic effort by Senator Hickenlooper and Senator Bennet to tackle the climate crisis, reduce inflationary costs for Hispanic families, lower drug prices, and trim the federal tax deficit. The Inflation Reduction Act will mitigate the climate impacts on our watersheds, invest in our nation’s farmers and climate-smart practices, and raise outdated oil and gas royalty rates while charging companies for methane usage on our public lands – climate and fiscal policies that HECHO has been advocating for years. We look forward to its passing in the US House of Representatives,” said Camilla Simon, HECHO’s Executive Director. 

“The passage of this bill is a big step in helping Americans affordably access the medical care and medications we need. People should not have to choose between food and medications, or paying other necessary bills and healthcare” said Sarita Parikh, patient and small business owner. “Thank you to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and to the Senate for passing this bill, giving citizens like myself increased access and affordability towards healthcare. When we have a healthier population, we have a healthier workforce, and in turn a healthier economy.”

“I’m grateful and extremely excited to plan for the three-year extension of additional ACA subsidies and to know we’re one important step closer to seeing this bill passed into law. Over the past few months, I have shared stories and data with our Senators and members of Congress about how these savings have made coverage more affordable. In many cases, they have changed lives. In Colorado, these enhanced subsidies lowered costs for 155,000 enrollees, reduced their average out-of-pocket costs by $900 per year and resulted in increased enrollments in rural communities across our state. While we’re not quite done yet, I hope that the more than 200,000 Coloradans who rely on us to afford health insurance and get the health care that they need can rest a little bit easier knowing the Senate has crossed this milestone,” said Kevin Patterson, Chief Executive Officer, Connect for Health Colorado.