117th Congress: Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) joins Washington Post Live on Thrusday, July 15 (Video: The Washington Post)

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He’s a key Democrat on Capitol Hill, and he may be close to pushing the Senate towards passage of an expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Join Washington Post Live on Thursday, July 15 at 2:30pm ET, as we continue our series “117th Congress,” hosting Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in conversation with Jacqueline Alemany, Washington Post congressional correspondent and author of the “Power Up” newsletter. Bennet will explain why he views this as a high legislative priority that may cut childhood poverty almost in half.

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Highlights

The Democrat also said the child tax credit would positively impact 90 percent of children in the United States. “I think families now are going to have an opportunity to have a little bit of help at the end of the month to relieve the pressure, to relieve the burden, to pay their rent, to buy their groceries, maybe buy some day care so they can stay at work and earn a little bit more… As a result of what Joe Biden has done, we’re going to cut childhood poverty in this country this year almost in half.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

“I view the filibuster as a tool of absolute abuse of the democracy by Mitch McConnell…We should reform it. We should make the Senate work better….Mitch McConnell’s version of obstruction, which has nothing to do with the way the Senate traditionally operated cannot be allowed to stay in the way of that if we are going to have a democracy that can compete, if we’re going to have an economy that works for every American.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

“That is a question that is completely up to Justice Breyer, and I think if I had a point of view about it, I don’t think it would help him make whatever decision he’s trying to make.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

Provided by Sen. Michael Bennet.

Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in the United States Senate since 2009. Recognized as a pragmatic and independent thinker, he is driven by an obligation to create more opportunity for the next generation. Michael has built a reputation of taking on Washington dysfunction and working with Republicans and Democrats to address our nation’s greatest challenges— including education, climate change, immigration, health care, and national security. Before serving in the Senate, Michael worked to restructure failing businesses and helped create the world’s largest movie theater chain. As superintendent of the Denver Public Schools, he led one of the most extensive reform efforts in the country, resulting in substantial, sustained academic improvement for Denver’s children. He lives in Denver with his wife and three daughters.