Bennet Backs Sotomayor In 25 Minutes, But Stays Silent On Card Check After Months Of Review

Tuesday, 09 June 2009 00:00

WASHINGTON – After a brief 25-minute sit-down with Judge Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) today announced his firm support for the Supreme Court nominee, yet nearly five months into his Senate term, he is still unable to take a position on the divisive card check legislation currently winding its way through Congress.

Since his appointment to the U.S. Senate in January, Bennet has repeatedly ducked on the card check bill, even when faced with first-hand warnings from his own constituents about the disastrous effects the legislation would have on our struggling economy.

In April, small business owners from the Boulder State flew to Washington urging their elected representatives to oppose card check. The delegation of small business owners also stressed that any so-called “compromise” on the legislation would also be, in their own words, “unacceptable.”

As recently as last week, Colorado Hispanic business leaders also came all the way to the nation’s capital to explain to their new Senator “why this bill [card check] would really hurt them as they try to emerge from a tough economy.”

Yesterday, Senate Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), a long-time cheerleader of the union-backed legislation, announced that the negotiations will continue on the contentious bill, stating “we have a number of people talking right now, trying to come up with a bill that will get 60 votes.”

“It is inexplicable that a quick 25-minute meet-and-greet, weeks before any hearings are even held on her nomination, is sufficient for Michael Bennet to support a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson said today. “Yet, nearly five months of intense discussions and debate with constituents and fellow lawmakers are not enough for him to clarify his position on the card check legislation that could impact thousands of Colorado jobs.  His constituents deserve an straight-forward answer, and not more of this Potomac two-step.

“As Bennet’s constituents have repeatedly informed him, card check would have a devastating effect on our economy, especially the small business owners in his state. With negotiations on the controversial bill continuing, Bennet needs to stop waffling and finally take a firm stance one way or the other,” Wilkerson concluded.