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Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) issued the following statement in response to the breaking news that this evening President Obama directed federal officials to give wildland firefighters access to health insurance. Earlier today, Rep. DeGette introduced the Wildland Firefighter Health Protection Act, H.R. 6092, a bill to extend health insurance coverage benefits to the thousands of firefighters fighting the unprecedented wildfires in Colorado and across the West.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) introduced the Wildland Firefighter Health Protection Act, H.R. 6092, a bill that extends health insurance coverage benefits to seasonal firefighters and their families. Colorado and other Western states have been devastated by some of the worst wildfires in history, and thousands of firefighters have been brought in from around the country to fight these unprecedented fires. Yet despite the massive personal risk of their jobs, neither the firefighters nor their families are covered for health insurance.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed H.R. 5892, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, by a vote of 372-0 today. This bipartisan bill – authored by U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) – will facilitate the development of small hydropower and conduit projects and direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the feasibility of a streamlined two-year permitting process. Their legislation now moves to the Senate.

DENVER – Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) announced that immediately upon the House returning to session next Monday, she will be introducing a bill she has written to ensure firefighters bravely fighting these wildfires receive health insurance. Right now Colorado is being devastated by some of the worst wildfires in the state's history, and thousands of firefighters have been brought in from around the country to fight these unprecedented fires. Yet despite the massive personal risk of their jobs, neither the firefighters nor their families are covered for health insurance.

DENVER – Today U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) celebrated the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) selection of Denver to serve as home for one of three new satellite patent offices. The new office is estimated to generate $440 million in economic development activity in the First District and across the state over the next five years.

Rep. DeGette's statement is as follows:

Washington, D.C. – The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed HR, 5892, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012 today. This bipartisan bill – authored by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) - would facilitate the development of small hydropower and conduit projects and direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the feasibility of a streamlined two-year permitting process. Their legislation now moves to the House floor.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) today issued the following opening statement at the so-called “Federal Green Jobs Agenda” hearing of the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Rep. DeGette questioned the Republican leadership’s premise of the hearing as yet another attempt to play partisan, political games, while failing to ever introduce their own jobs programs or use their oversight abilities to improve existing programs.