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Supreme Court Hands Trump a Major Win With 'Evil' Emergency Order Described as 'Reckless Cruelty'

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The US Supreme Court handed Donald Trump a significant victory on Tuesday by letting his administration immediately resume rapid deportations of migrants to third countries, triggering outrage from critics who branded the emergency order 'evil' and the policy 'reckless cruelty'.

A federal court had blocked those removals unless migrants had a chance to challenge them, including over fears of persecution or torture. The unsigned Supreme Court order lets the administration resume the policy ahead of arguments scheduled for December.

Supreme Court Grants Relief

Third-country deportations send immigrants to nations other than their own. Critics warn that people could be forced into dangerous destinations, including countries accused of human rights abuses. The government sought emergency permission to restart those rapid removals while the legal dispute continues.

The three liberal justices said they would have denied the administration's request. The order allows the government to proceed while the court prepares to hear arguments on the policy.

The Trump administration has sent more than 25,000 people to third countries, including Liberia, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic, the New York Times reported.

The earlier federal court restriction concerned migrants' opportunity to object before being removed. It required that they be able to raise fears of persecution or torture in the country to which they would be sent.

Criticism of Supreme Court Order

Those reactions appeared on X and Bluesky, with critics challenging both the administration's choice of destinations and the court's decision to let removals restart.

Colorado Democratic representative Brittany Pettersen focused on the risks of sending people somewhere they had never lived, without family connections or assurances about their safety. 'Deporting someone to a country they've never set foot in, with no family, no ties, and no guarantee of safety, is reckless cruelty,' Pettersen wrote on X.

'The Supreme Court's decision to allow this is deeply heartbreaking & dangerous. We cannot treat human lives like this. I will never stop fighting for basic due process, oversight, and an immigration system that actually respects and honors the rights of EVERY person.'

Her statement called for due process and oversight, linking her criticism of the court's decision to the protections available to people facing removal. Podcaster and rural healthcare advocate Michelle Rathman condemned the decision on Bluesky, using the word 'evil' and warning that deportees could face fatal consequences.

'The horror of this I really don't know if there are words to describe how evil this is,' Rathman wrote. 'Without any due process, thousands of people will be sent to die. SCOTUS [is] rubber stamping death sentences.' Those comments predicted deaths rather than identifying deaths resulting from Tuesday's emergency order.

Political scientist Norm Ornstein directed his response at the court's conservative majority, calling the justices 'six monstrous partisan hacks'.

Supreme Court Arguments in December

The reactions ranged from Pettersen's demands for safeguards to direct criticism of the justices. The liberal members' opposition, meanwhile, concerned whether to grant the government's emergency request.

The order addresses the government's request to restart removals, allowing the administration to proceed while the policy itself remains in dispute. The permission granted on Tuesday applies to rapid deportations to countries other than the immigrants' own. The court is preparing to hear arguments on the policy in December.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) Celebrate the Bipartisan Success of Financial Services Committee, including the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act CF in the News

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) joined Center Forward’s Affordability Summit to discuss their efforts in the Financial Services Committee to help reduce rising costs affecting Americans. Rep. Cleaver came to Congress with on-the-ground experience of the housing affordability challenges Americans are facing as the Mayor of Kansas City, later becoming the highest-ranking Democrat on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee on the Financial Services Committee. Rep. Pettersen spent a decade in Colorado’s state legislature and came to Congress to continue to fight for Coloradans.

Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Pettersen discussed the affordability priorities of the Financial Services Committee and the major bipartisan legislation they worked on in the 119th Congress. In particular, they highlighted the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a major bipartisan housing package aimed at reducing housing costs for everyday Americans. Rep. Cleaver talked about his role as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee in driving the legislation. He stressed how the bill will cut unnecessary red tape and modernize federal housing programs to combat the housing crisis in the United States. Additionally, he talked about the work across the aisle to deliver results for Americans and to ensure hardworking Missourians can participate in the American Dream.

Rep. Pettersen touted her integral role in bipartisan negotiations to help ensure that the bill became law. She also touted the policies she introduced that the committee included in the law, creating a fair chance for working Americans to participate in the housing market. The Congresswoman also addressed her efforts to create a pilot program providing for small-dollar mortgages. She stated these efforts allow the federal government to invest in the American people and allow them to grow wealth through early investments in housing.

Rep. Cleaver has more than two decades of experience in Congress and has been fighting for housing affordability since first coming to Congress, co-authoring the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act in 2016. He stated his desire to continue building on his proven record of bipartisan success to further lower housing costs and ensure every American family can work hard toward the opportunity to purchase their own home.

“The lack of affordable housing is not a Democratic or Republican issue—it is a crisis that impacts families in every community across the country,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “As we begin to implement the most significant housing legislation passed by Congress in decades with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, I know there is more work to do. I look forward to continuing the push to ensure every American has access to the American dream by forging bipartisan solutions that will lower housing costs nationwide.”

“I have spent years in Congress focusing on working with my Republican colleagues to deliver results for my constituents,” said Rep. Pettersen. “I am determined to continue to introduce common-sense housing solutions that will address problems facing Americans today.”

Both Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Pettersen demonstrated how their bipartisan efforts provide for long-term, pragmatic solutions. They are committed to bridging divides to reduce the cost of living for all Americans and are looking to continue delivering results for the American people in the next Congress.

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, Congressman Joe Neguse Lead Bill to Permanently Fund Payments to Rural Counties with Federal Lands

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LAKEWOOD — Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) this week introduced the Permanently Authorizing PILT Act to guarantee reliable federal payments to Colorado counties that provide essential services on and around tax-exempt federal lands. Without predictable mandatory funding, counties will never have the true assurance of the federal revenue that they receive.

The Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program provides payments to counties, including 56 in Colorado, and other local governments with non-taxable federal lands within their borders to offset lost property tax revenue. These payments are key for local governments to fund services including transportation infrastructure projects, education, law enforcement, healthcare, and emergency services. While PILT has operated under reauthorizations for previous fiscal years, this legislation would make the program a mandatory funding effort by Congress not subject to the federal appropriations process. A permanent authorization will provide certainty for counties, ensuring they can maintain their services without disruption.

“Our rural communities provide essential services on and around federal lands—from roads and schools to emergency response—and they deserve funding they can count on. These counties shouldn’t have to wonder every year whether the federal government will provide needed support for these services,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “I’m proud to work with my friend, Rep. Neguse, to make PILT permanent so these counties can plan for the future and keep delivering for Coloradans.”

“Colorado’s 2nd District spans from the Front Range to the Western Slope, including many communities that rely on federal PILT payments for essential local services — from firefighting and search-and-rescue operations to the construction of public schools and roads. Our bill, the Permanently Authorizing PILT Act, makes this program permanent, ensuring local governments can rely on a consistent stream of federal support to keep their communities thriving,” said Congressman Joe Neguse.

“Many Western Counties depend on PILT to balance our budgets. The services, (Search and Rescue, Fire, law Enforcement, Road maintenance etc.) we must provide on public land are a huge strain on our budgets,” said Dwayne McFall, Fremont County Colorado Commissioner and National Association of Counties Western Interstate Region President, “Without PILT many services would have to be cut. Permanent funding of PILT would create a long-term sustainable solution for counties.”

“Public lands may be national treasures, but their footprint is local. In Chaffee County approximately 80% of the land is federally owned and is completely exempt from local property taxes. PILT is a crucial tool of fairness and fills the structural revenue gap so our small taxpayer base isn't forced to single-handedly foot the bill for essential services, from rural road maintenance, to emergency response and public safety for millions of visitors each year. I greatly appreciate Congresswoman Pettersen’s efforts in pushing to make PILT a reliable and permanent fixture in the appropriations process.” said Gina Lucrezi, Chaffee County Commissioner.

“Counties with federal public lands are responsible for delivering essential services — from public safety and search and rescue to roads, infrastructure and wildfire mitigation — even though they cannot collect property taxes on those lands,” said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. “PILT helps counties offset those lost revenues and meet these responsibilities in the 62 percent of America’s counties with federal lands. We applaud Representatives Pettersen and Neguse for introducing the bipartisan Permanently Authorizing PILT Act, which would give public lands counties the long-term certainty they need to plan, budget and deliver for their residents and visitors. We urge Congress to pass this critical legislation into law quickly.”

The Department of Interior makes PILT payments to over 1,850 counties in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Counties have used these payments for more than 40 years to fund essential county services. In 2026, Colorado was compensated more than $53 million through the PILT program.

Congresswoman Pettersen previously introduced the bipartisan Permanently Authorizing PILT Act of 2023. She has led a bipartisan letter to the Appropriations Committee requesting full and robust funding for the PILT program in every Appropriations cycle since being elected to Congress. She has advocated and secured funding for local and county governments, including for rural communities, to ensure they have the funding and support to address the needs of all residents.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen's Statement on Her Latest Bill Passed by Both Chambers

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

“I am thrilled to see my bill, the Romance Scam Prevention Act, passed out of the Senate last night. Romance scams don’t just steal people’s savings—they exploit their trust and leave lasting emotional damage. As more Americans turn to online dating to find meaningful relationships, scammers are increasingly using these platforms to target vulnerable people and families. If a dating platform removes someone for fraud, the people they contacted deserve to know so they can protect themselves before it’s too late.

“If signed into law, this will be my sixth bill enacted during this Trump Administration – proof that we can fight hard against his lawlessness, cruelty and corruption, while also working to find common ground where we can. I’m proud of my record and I will keep working to deliver for the people in our district.”

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Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen Leads Sanctions Effort to Reduce Fentanyl Trafficking into United States

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LAKEWOOD — Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) today announced the introduction of legislation that will extend critical sanctions against foreign fentanyl traffickers and strengthen the federal government’s ability to disrupt the financial networks fueling the illicit opioid trade. The bipartisan Fentanyl Sanctions Reauthorization Act of 2026, which is co-led by Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), reauthorizes the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, which is set to expire in December, and ensures Treasury officials can continue targeting foreign jurisdictions, financial institutions, and illicit transactions tied to fentanyl trafficking.

“Like far too many families, mine has been impacted by the opioid crisis. My mom struggled with a prescription drug addiction that ultimately led to heroin and fentanyl. She overdosed 20 times in one year alone before we were finally able to get her the medical care she desperately needed, but too many people are not as lucky. Fentanyl is the most potent and lethal drug on the black market, and it has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across our country. We are facing an overdose crisis that demands urgent action to stop the influx of these dangerous drugs from being trafficked to our country,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “This bill gives the US the tools we need to disrupt the financial networks behind the illicit opioid trade and hold foreign traffickers accountable so more families don’t have to go through the heartbreak of losing a loved one to an overdose.”

“The fentanyl crisis affects communities across the country. As a border state, Texas has seen the devastation caused by fentanyl and cartels,” said Congressman Roger Williams. “We must reauthorize the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to ensure the United States has the tools it needs to crack down on the deadly drugs and crime entering our country from overseas.”

Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, were involved in nearly 48,000 American deaths in 2024, leaving families and communities grieving lives cut short. Reauthorizing the Fentanyl Sanctions Act would preserve critical tools to pursue the financial networks behind the drugs reaching Colorado and communities across the country. By restricting illicit payments and targeting institutions that facilitate trafficking, these authorities can make it harder for foreign traffickers to pay suppliers, launder profits, and finance future shipments. Renewing them would sustain financial pressure on the illicit opioid trade as part of the broader effort to prevent overdoses and save lives.

Federal officials have already used these authorities to target the financial infrastructure behind the illicit opioid trade. In June 2025, the United States Treasury invoked the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act to prohibit certain fund transfers involving three Mexico-based financial institutions identified as being of primary money laundering concern in connection with opioid trafficking. These actions demonstrate how the authorities can restrict traffickers’ ability to move money through the U.S. financial system.

Motivated by her own mother’s struggle with a substance use disorder, this bill is just the latest in Congresswoman Pettersen's ongoing work addressing the drug epidemic in the United States. These include measures to prevent the import of illicit drugs, and prevent overdose deaths by ensuring airplanes, law enforcement, and hospitals are able to distribute naloxone when necessary.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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Valadao sponsors bipartisan bill to build financial literacy among high schoolers

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) sponsored bipartisan legislation this week that aims to help high school students across America navigate the nation’s financial system by giving them access to resources that can help them make informed financial decisions.

The Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary Schools Act, H.R. 10528, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), would amend the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act to include secondary schools in best practices for teaching financial literacy.

If enacted, the congressman said that H.R. 10528 “would give students these critical tools before they graduate and help prepare the next generation for success — whether they choose to attend college, pursue a trade, or enter the workforce.”

The Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) within the U.S. Department of the Treasury is tasked with creating best practices for teaching financial literacy. Currently, FLEC only creates guidance for institutions of higher education.

H.R. 10528 would require FLEC to include high schools when creating best practices for students about budgeting, financial securities, credit, evaluating financial products, and student loan borrowing.

Nothing in the bill would require schools to adopt the best practices; they would be voluntary, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Valadao’s staff.

“Too many young people enter adulthood without anyone ever teaching them how to build credit, manage a budget, or protect themselves from financial decisions that could follow them for years,” said Rep. Pettersen, who added that the bill “will help high schools better prepare our young people to achieve financial security, avoid costly mistakes, and set themselves up for success in the long run.”

The measure has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Financial Services Committee and the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Congresswoman Pettersen Introduces Bill to Expand Financial Literacy Resources for High School Students

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LAKEWOOD – Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) today announced her introduction of a bill to expand financial literacy resources for high school students. The bipartisan Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary Schools Act, which Pettersen introduced with Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), would give high schools access to voluntary, expert-developed resources that teach students how to budget, manage credit, and avoid costly debt. According to Junior Achievement USA, in 2024, 68% of teens in Colorado want a financial literacy class, but only 31% reported having access to those resources.

“I know how hard it can be to navigate our financial system, especially for people like me who were the first in their family to graduate from high school and college. Too many young people enter adulthood without anyone ever teaching them how to build credit, manage a budget, or protect themselves from financial decisions that can follow them for years,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “Every one of our students should have access to the resources they need to make informed financial decisions, regardless of their path after high school. I’m so proud to join Congressman Valadao to introduce this common-sense, bipartisan bill that will help high schools better prepare our young people to achieve financial security, avoid costly mistakes, and set them up for success.”

“Filing taxes, managing a budget, building savings, and understanding credit are all important life skills, yet too many students graduate high school without the financial knowledge they need to make informed decisions,” said Congressman David Valadao.“Instead of trying to navigate a complicated financial system on their own, students should have a strong foundation in financial literacy. The bipartisan Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary School Act would give students these critical tools before they graduate and help prepare the next generation for success—whether they choose to attend college, pursue a trade, or enter the workforce."

Specifically, this legislation would create a voluntary program for high schools and require the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) to include these schools when creating their best practices for students about budgeting, financial securities, credit, evaluating financial products, and student loan borrowing.

The FLEC is an office within the U.S. Department of the Treasury that is tasked with creating best practices for teaching financial literacy. Currently, FLEC only creates guidance for institutions of higher education. As more students continue to seek alternatives to college, they are therefore currently missing out on these foundational financial literacy programs.

Congresswoman Pettersen serves on the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees agencies that deal with the banking, credit card, insurance, and housing sectors. She has consistently pushed for financial transparency for working families, and has championed legislation such as the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act and the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act as part of her broader effort to provide families and communities with the financial tools they need to succeed.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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Congresswomen Pettersen, Sewell, & Underwood Demand Trump Administration Reinstate Wrongfully Cancelled Minority Health Grants

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Congresswomen Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), led 35 of their colleagues in demanding the Trump administration immediately reinstate more than 16 minority and maternal health grants totaling $38 million that were canceled following a “shift in administration priorities.” These grant cancellations would affect programs meant to address that and other socioeconomic health disparities, including vital maternal and infant health outcomes, health care access in rural communities, treatment and prevention strategies for substance use disorder, and food insecurity for underserved communities. These cancellations come as data report that Black women continue to face a maternal mortality rate nearly 3.5 times that of white women.

“The Trump Administration just canceled 16 grants for essential funding used to support moms during pregnancy, babies when they are most vulnerable, and treatment programs for mothers who are struggling with addiction,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “I’m absolutely heartbroken to think of the Coloradans who will be left behind and the impact on our most vulnerable kids. And to top it off, they are using this money to instead support things like treatment for erectile dysfunction in the name of family values. Absolutely reprehensible.”

Specifically, the administration has directed the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health (OMH) to redirect funding historically used to support maternal health toward what it describes as the “root causes of infertility and reproductive health conditions,” including low sperm count, reduced sperm motility, low testosterone, and erectile dysfunction, impounding funds specifically meant to support minority communities.

In the letter, the Members wrote: “OMH was established to confront and eliminate health disparities nationwide, by elevating community partnerships and establishing programs to support health outcomes across U.S. minority populations. That mission remains urgent. It is alarming that, instead of addressing the continued need for services that make a life-and-death difference in American communities, your office will redirect this funding to prioritize only “addressing the root causes of infertility and reproductive health conditions and promoting physical activity.” This shift overlooks the continued, critical need for comprehensive health equity programs that directly support the communities OMH was created to serve.

The Members continued: “OMH plays a critical role in providing national leadership, engaging community partners, and deploying resources to eliminate health disparities across this nation. This mission has historically supported a broad range of services that have filled critical care voids across our communities. The reprioritization of discretionary funding is not only incredibly concerning, but demonstrates a stark break from the comprehensive programs and services that these grants have previously supported.”

The grants canceled by the Administration threaten to disrupt long-standing infrastructure that employs community health workers, collects data, maintains relationships with patients and communities, and provides reliable health and nutrition services that residents depend on. Abruptly terminating these investments will not only interrupt essential care but also erase years of progress toward reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for mothers, infants, and underserved communities. Moreover, the recipients of these grants had already been awarded funding appropriated by Congress, with some being two years into a four year grant period, raising serious concerns about the Administration’s authority to abruptly terminate funds that have already been earmarked.

The signers of the letter include: Rep. Sewell (D-AL), Rep. Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ), Del. Holmes-Norton (D-D.C.), Rep. Ivey (D-MD), Rep. Kelly (D-IL), Rep. H. Johnson (D-GA), Rep. Espaillat (D-NY), Rep. Matsui (D-CA), Rep. Bell (D-MO), Rep. Watson-Coleman (D-NJ), Rep. Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Tlaib (D-MI), Rep. Thanedar (D-MI), Rep. Crockett (D-TX), Rep. Carter (D-LA), Rep. Beatty (D-OH), Rep. McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Jackson (D-IL), Rep. Barragán (D-CA), Rep. Chu (D-CA), Rep. Brown (D-OH), Rep. Lee (D-PA), Rep. Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. Jacobs (D-CA), Rep. McClain-Delaney (D-MD), Rep. Stansbury (D-NM), Rep. Vargas (D-CA), Rep. Torres (D-NY), Rep. Randall (D-WA), Rep. McDonald Rivet (D-MI), Rep. Tonko (D-NY), Rep. Simon (D-CA)

See the full text of the letter HERE and below.

Dear Captain Mofidi:

We write to express our deep concern regarding the termination of 16 grants administered by the Office of Minority Health (OMH).1 On August 25th, 2026, grantees — with services supporting advancing vital maternal and health outcomes, promoting health care access in rural communities, supporting treatment and prevention strategies for substance use disorder, and reducing food insecurity — received notice from OMH that federal awards were to be terminated, effective immediately, pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.340(a)(4). Historically, grants under OMH have significantly reduced health disparities by targeting areas with an existing, but unmet need. The termination of these grants not only threatens the health outcomes of communities nationwide, but will destabilize the services that American families rely on today, at the intersection of rising costs and continued attacks on health care.

We are also deeply concerned about OMH stated intentions to redirect attention towards discretionary funding priorities. In a note to grantees, OMH noted that funding would now prioritize, “...(1) reducing overmedicalization in health care by addressing the root causes of infertility and reproductive health conditions, such as…low sperm count, low sperm mobility, low testosterone levels, and erectile dysfunction.” OMH was established to confront and eliminate health disparities nationwide, by elevating community partnerships and establishing programs to support health outcomes across U.S. minority populations. That mission remains urgent. It is alarming that, instead of addressing the continued need for services that make a life-and-death difference in American communities, your office will redirect this funding to prioritize only “addressing the root causes of infertility and reproductive health conditions and promoting physical activity.” This shift overlooks the continued, critical need for comprehensive health equity programs that directly support the communities OMH was created to serve.

This redirection of funding is a severe disservice to existing grants that have consistently delivered measurable results. If OMH’s priority is to support growing families, all while addressing existing health disparities, then your office must uphold the responsibility of continuing to fund the entities that implement strategies proven to narrow health disparities and improve outcomes across this country.

We ask that OMH immediately reinstate the grant funding for these 16 entities. We additionally request the answers to the following questions no later than October 2, 2026.

Please provide a detailed analysis of every grant that was terminated across the Office of Minority Health. Please include information regarding how this decision was made, include the names of any officials that played a role in termination decisions, and the total amount of unexpended funds for each grant.
Please provide a detailed description that outlines any known violations, underutilization metrics, or program failures, that would require OMH to redirect funds away from active and ongoing grants that facilitate programs with demonstrated outcomes.
Please provide detailed information regarding existing opportunities for grantees to submit an appeal. Please include:

a. OMH’s deadline for appeal submissions;

b. Any supplementary materials that OMH directly requested;

c. How OMH will review the appeals, including any provided documentation; and

d. When corresponding decisions will be communicated to grantees.

Please provide any questions or feedback that OMH has received from any entity that received a termination notice. Please include detailed information regarding OMH’s response and support they have offered these stakeholders.

OMH plays a critical role in providing national leadership, engaging community partners, and deploying resources to eliminate health disparities across this nation. This mission has historically supported a broad range of services that have filled critical care voids across our communities. The reprioritization of discretionary funding is not only incredibly concerning, but demonstrates a stark break from the comprehensive programs and services that these grants have previously supported. We urge OMH to reinstate this funding immediately to mitigate any severe consequences to the health of our communities. We appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.

Colorado lawmakers seek new AI safeguards

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

AI's catastrophic risks to humanity are fueling fresh calls for regulation, with Colorado lawmakers in both parties agreeing that more guardrails are needed.

Why it matters: Public alarm over the rapidly advancing technology is creating a rare bipartisan opening in Congress to act.

What they're saying: "There's something in the world that now scares me more than Donald Trump," U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) says in a statement about AI.

Pettersen is calling for stronger industry standards, including independent audits and mandatory incident reporting.

Zoom out: Democratic U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper warns "we're entering a new and dangerous era" for AI.

He co-introduced bipartisan legislation last year aimed at developing standards for how AI systems are built and tested.
In a statement, Hickenlooper — who says he frequently uses AI — also urges the White House to confront the technology's risks.
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D-Aurora) similarly stressed the need for protections around privacy and national security.

Yes, but: At least one lawmaker questions whether Congress can move quickly enough to keep pace with the technology.

"Unfortunately, Congress will never be able to move fast enough to do so," Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet says in a statement.
Still, Bennet proposes creating an independent agency for rule-making and oversight of AI and other platforms.

Across the aisle, U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Fort Lupton) backs legislation calling for "common sense guardrails" to protect consumers.

The House on Wednesday passed a bill Evans led aimed at curbing AI data center costs.

But his approach also underscores a broader divide over what AI rules should look like.

Another bill backed by Evans promotes American-developed AI models while imploring federal officials to scrutinize models from foreign adversaries.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank (R-Colorado Springs) put the onus on AI companies, calling for "safety nets" on product development to protect the economy and national security.

U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Windsor), Jeff Hurd (R-Grand Junction) and Joe Neguse (D-Lafayette) did not respond to Axios' request for comment.

The bottom line: Many Colorado lawmakers agree AI needs guardrails.

The fight is over what those rules should look like and whether Washington can get regulation done in time.

House passes water package with $208 million for Colorado — plus latest attempt to revive vetoed pipeline bill

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

A bipartisan water bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives includes $208 million for Colorado projects and would revive federal financing for a pipeline that was vetoed by President Donald Trump late last year.

The House voted 415-9 Wednesday night to pass the Water Resources Development Act, with all eight of Colorado’s representatives joining in support. The bill is a biennial measure that authorizes studies and projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local communities.

The office of Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat from Lakewood, said the bill incorporates provisions from a bill led by Pettersen and co-sponsored by most of the state’s delegation earlier this year. It would add Colorado to a federal program that supports rural water projects in western states.

The bill passed Wednesday would allow up to $150 million for water projects in Colorado under that program. The larger package separately designates $22.5 million for water infrastructure in several counties in the northern Front Range and northeastern Colorado; $20 million for water infrastructure and supply in Custer County; and $15.6 million for water infrastructure and stormwater management in Aurora.

The Senate has not yet passed its own version of the bill, which could differ from the House version.

Also tucked into the package is the latest attempt by Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Windsor, to pass the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. It would support a long-sought 130-mile pipeline that’s bringing drinking water to 39 communities east of Pueblo by extending the project repayment period and lowering the interest rate.

Trump vetoed the bill in late December, citing the pipeline project’s $1.3 billion cost and saying local governments should pay for it. But the action came as Trump was targeting Colorado by yanking federal grants, denying disaster relief requests and trying to close the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, among other actions, while pushing Gov. Jared Polis to release convicted former clerk Tina Peters from prison.

In a statement, Boebert noted that the conduit language had also been added to an agriculture bill passed by the House in June. That measure has also not yet passed the full Senate.

“This is about clean water for families in the Arkansas Valley who have waited more than 60 years,” Boebert said in a news release. “The Arkansas Valley Conduit is the unfinished piece of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Getting it in this bipartisan WRDA and across the House floor on suspension is a big step toward finishing the job.”

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Pettersen, Brittany RSS Articles

Supreme Court Hands Trump a Major Win With 'Evil' Emergency Order Described as 'Reckless Cruelty'

Supreme Court Grants Relief

Criticism of Supreme Court Order

Supreme Court Arguments in December

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) Celebrate the Bipartisan Success of Financial Services Committee, including the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act CF in the News

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, Congressman Joe Neguse Lead Bill to Permanently Fund Payments to Rural Counties with Federal Lands

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen's Statement on Her Latest Bill Passed by Both Chambers

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen Leads Sanctions Effort to Reduce Fentanyl Trafficking into United States

Valadao sponsors bipartisan bill to build financial literacy among high schoolers

Congresswoman Pettersen Introduces Bill to Expand Financial Literacy Resources for High School Students

Congresswomen Pettersen, Sewell, & Underwood Demand Trump Administration Reinstate Wrongfully Cancelled Minority Health Grants

Colorado lawmakers seek new AI safeguards

House passes water package with $208 million for Colorado — plus latest attempt to revive vetoed pipeline bill

FY 2027 Community Project Funding (CPF) Webinar

FY 2027 Community Project Funding (CPF) Webinar

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