Sen. Mark Udall

Wallace Stegner, a great writer of the American West, called our magnificent Western landscapes the 'geography of hope.' These precious lands, he noted, gave Americans our opportunity and our prosperity. Today, we celebrate Earth Day by taking action and recognizing the important role our land, air and water have in...

In Congress, passing common-sense legislation can seem like a battle between David and Goliath. In this case, Goliath is deep-pocketed special interest groups that use their influence to block bills before they can get a vote. David is Colorado small businesses that just need more loan options so they can...

Truth be told, I'm much more comfortable in a pair of hiking boots or with a rack of climbing gear than in front of a laptop. But just like you, I know the Internet has opened countless doors for people seeking to educate themselves, start a small business, and communicate...

Today we will finally put an end to a discriminatory military policy that was crafted almost two decades ago during a time when we weren't at war with another country, but rather we were bitterly divided -- politically and socially -- against ourselves.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell...

I think most Americans would agree people should be treated equally and everyone ought to be able to pursue a fulfilling life with the ones they love. But at times we fail to live up to the solemn promise guaranteed to every American in the Declaration of Independence, namely, life,...

I want to share a few thoughts about how Congress is working, or isn't working, and our country's direction.

I spent most of last week touring local businesses in my home state of Colorado, talking directly with people and hearing about what's going on in their lives and communities. Not...

Members of Congress are about to vote to extend the most controversial provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act for four more years, even though few of them understand how those provisions are being interpreted and applied.

As members of the Senate Intelligence Committee we have been provided with the executive...

Later today, the U.S. Senate will take a step toward reauthorizing the most controversial provisions of the PATRIOT Act for four more years. The Senate may not allow any amendments to fix the problematic portions of this law. We must take action -- today -- to demand the opportunity to...

Today, I launched my initiative to encourage kids to get outdoors by introducing a resolution to honor the inaugural National Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 21....

Today marks the one-year anniversary of enacting the Affordable Care Act, the health-insurance reform bill I fought hard to pass in the 111th Congress to ensure Coloradans -- not their insurance companies -- can call the shots on their health care decisions. Equally important, it will enable many Coloradans to...

I've often said that the best ideas are not Republican ideas or Democratic ideas; they're American ideas - practical solutions to our...

I've been in the Senate for two years, and while I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish, I've developed a keen frustration with one thing in particular: the filibuster.

Don't get me wrong: I have a deep respect for the Senate, and I also realize that the winds...

Last month a federal court judge ruled that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) is unconstitutional. It was a huge step forward. But now the Department of Justice (DOJ) has the option to appeal this ruling and turn back the progress we have made.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and...

The horrifying images coming out of the Gulf of Mexico serve as a powerful reminder that we must look toward clean-energy solutions to create American jobs and wean our nation off our dependence on foreign oil. But even while we work for a clean-energy future, we must ensure today's energy...

Finally, we have a bill.

Just minutes ago, I stood with Senators Lieberman, Levin, Gillibrand, and Burris at a press conference and announced that we would be introducing the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 in the Senate to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

In a time of...

"Allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do."

Those were the courageous words of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen during yesterday's hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy. Defense Secretary Robert Gates...

On May 22, 2009, the President signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act ("Credit CARD Act").

The new law will institute common sense, pro-consumer reform like requiring advance notice of interest-rate increases, banning the practice of universal default, and protecting young people from unscrupulous lending practices.

The...

On Tuesday we told you about our open letter to the U.S. Senate, supporting an up or down vote for the public option. The response to our effort has been overwhelming: Over 16,000 people have already signed on to our letter at UpOrDownForReform.com.

When we elected Barack...

The public option will provide much-needed competition and choice for health care. And with the majority of Senators, Representatives, and the American people supporting a public option, its passage would seem inevitable.

But in fact, the public option is in real danger.

That's because the quiet threat of...