Sen. Hickenlooper on Government Shutdown: 'Lesser of Two Very Serious Evils'

The Looming Government Shutdown

• ⚠️ Senator John Hickenlooper expresses frustration and sadness over the approaching government shutdown deadline.
• 🎯 He hates the House bill for leaving large budget amounts uncommitted, giving the President excessive power.

Continuing Resolution (CR) vs. Shutdown

• 💡 Hickenlooper views the continuing resolution (CR) as awful but potentially the lesser of two very serious evils compared to a government shutdown.
• ⚡ A shutdown is seen as a last resort, with the added risk of the President deciding how long it lasts and who makes decisions.
• 🏛️ He notes that reopening the government would require Republican support, which the President could potentially block.

Congressional Power and Obedience

• 🧠 There's a concern that Republicans are showing an unprecedented level of obedience to the White House.
• 🤝 Hickenlooper believes that Republicans and Democrats will eventually stand up to ensure Congress maintains its constitutional power.

Difficult Choices and Voter Impact

• 📉 The Senator acknowledges that both options (CR or shutdown) present horrible choices with potential negative impacts on essential services in Colorado, including medical situations, veterans' jobs, and education.
• 🎯 He suggests that in such situations, politicians should worry less about re-election and more about making the best decision for the country.

Re-election and Future Outlook

• ✅ Hickenlooper confirms he is running for re-election, despite the current political climate.
• 🚀 He expresses optimism that good things can come when things look their worst, comparing life to a pendulum and wanting to be part of a Congress that achieves bipartisan compromise.