FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1st, 2024
CONTACT: Karin Asensio
Democratic Leaders Unveil President Joe Biden’s Portrait at State Capitol
DENVER – Today, Governor Polis, Senate President Steve Fenberg, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, and Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib unveiled Kirsten Savage’s portrait of President Joe Biden that will be permanently displayed in the Colorado State Capitol.
“I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this historic unveiling. With the help of Governor Polis and our federal delegation, President Biden has kept Space Command in Colorado Springs, created thousands of jobs in our state, and designated Camp Hale a national monument. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate these accomplishments than by unveiling this amazing portrait,” said Chair Shad Murib.
“Today, with the unveiling of President Biden’s portrait in Colorado’s Capitol, we are continuing a long tradition in our state. I have seen President Biden’s leadership firsthand, and he shares our goals of making Colorado, and our country, a better place now and for future generations. It was an honor to unveil his portrait today,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“President Biden’s portrait will now join those of his predecessors in the Colorado Capitol. Over the past three years, this Administration and Colorado’s federal delegation have passed critical legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the state stimulus package, which are helping Colorado build more housing, expand broadband, increase access to behavioral health, and save people money on health care. From my community on the Western Slope to towns and cities all across Colorado, the successes are far and wide and are addressing the most pressing issues we face,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie.
“The gallery of presidential portraits in our state Capitol building stands as a reminder of the story of our country’s past,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg. “With the addition of President Biden’s portrait, we are marking a new chapter in the story of our country’s history. Traditions like these add to the reverence of this building and make the Colorado Capitol a place I am proud to work in day after day.”
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN COLORADO
INVESTING IN AMERICA
Colorado is receiving $6.4 billion under the Biden-Harris Administration in public infrastructure and clean energy investments, including:
- $3.4 billion announced for transportation investments in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports, as well as electric school and transit buses, EV charging, and more.
- $712.7 million announced for grants, rebates, and other initiatives to accelerate the deployment of clean energy, clean buildings, and clean manufacturing.
- $504.4 million announced to make our communities more resilient to climate change and other threats.
- $578.9 million announced to provide clean water across Colorado and improve water infrastructure. This includes $88.6M dedicated to lead pipe and service line replacement.
INTERNET FOR ALL
- Colorado is receiving $1.3 billion in funding from the Biden Administration to provide affordable, reliable high-speed internet to everyone in Colorado.
- 246,300 households in Colorado are saving $30-75 per month on high-speed internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program under the Biden Administration.
BRINGING JOBS BACK TO AMERICA
- 241,800 jobs have been created in Colorado under the Biden Administration, including 2,700 jobs in clean energy.
- Coloradoans have submitted 362,100 applications to start new businesses.
- 3,500 childcare programs were kept open because of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
- 1,800 restaurants and bars have been kept open under President Biden’s leadership.
LOWERING COSTS
- $140.4 million in home energy rebates to help hardworking families cut their energy costs by weatherizing their homes and replacing old appliances with more efficient models.
- 961,600 seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries will save money on prescription drug costs because of President Biden’s $2,000 yearly cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, a $35 monthly cap per insulin prescription, free vaccines, inflation rebates, and a drug price negotiation program.
- 199.4K individuals in Colorado signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces during the Open Enrollment Period for 2023 and will benefit from average savings of about $800/year from lower health care premiums because of the Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan.
GENERAL TALKING POINTS ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
- President Biden strongly supports a woman’s right to choose and has taken action to protect access to care:
- President Biden has called on Congress to codify the protections of Roe into federal law, restoring rights women relied on for nearly fifty years.
- The Biden-Harris administration is working to protect access to reproductive health care and safeguard patient privacy amid ongoing Republican attacks, including:
- Defending FDA approval of medication abortion
- Fighting for women’s access to emergency medical care
- Strengthening access to contraception
- And if Congress passes a national abortion ban, President Biden has promised to veto it.
- There is no question that reproductive freedom is on the ballot in November, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the only candidates who stand up for women’s rights to make their own health care decisions.
ECONOMY
- Three years in a row of strong economic growth under President Biden
- The economy grew 3.1% last year – beating forecasts of a recession and stronger than during the Trump Administration.
- 2.7 million jobs created last year, for a total of 14.3 million jobs created under President Biden.
- Personal finances are strong, with consumer spending and wages up over the last year.
- Manufacturing is booming: highest manufacturing construction investment on record.
- Inflation continues to fall – core inflation fell to pre-pandemic level of 2% over the last 6 months.
- President Biden has helped grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up–and Americans are feeling the results.
- The work is not done. President Biden and Congressional Democrats are fighting every day to lower costs:
- Taking on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug costs and cap insulin at $35 a month.
- Saving 15 million Americans $800 a year on health insurance.
- Cracking down on price gouging by banning hidden junk fees and calling on corporations to pass savings on to consumers.
CLIMATE
The Biden-Harris Administration:
- Signed into law the largest climate investment in history, the Inflation Reduction Act, which has already created 210,000 new jobs across nearly every state and attracted more than $200 billion in private clean energy investments, while putting the U.S. on a path to meet our climate goals and reach 80% clean energy by 2030 – in addition to securing the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS and Science Act
- Advancing the most ambitious environmental justice agenda in history, including by signing a historic Executive Order that calls on the federal government to bring clean energy and health environments to all and mitigate harm to those who have suffered from toxic pollution and other environmental burdens like climate change.
- Protected 26 million acres of lands and waters – on track to conserve more lands and waters than any president in history.
- Canceled remaining oil and gas leases issued by the previous administration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and proposed protections for more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and withdrew approximately 2.8 million acres of the Beaufort Sea, ensuring the entire United States Arctic Ocean is off limits to new oil and gas leasing
- Signed an executive order that sets an ambitious target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions, while proposing strongest-ever limits on tail pipe emissions and issuing fuel economy standards.