Democratic Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet said he plans to vote to convict President Donald Trump if the House impeachment inquiry goes to a vote in the Senate.
“If the facts don’t change, I think that I’m likely to vote to convict,” he said.
Bennet was in Colorado for his first constituent event in months Friday at the Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Denver. He said the only way to make meaningful progress on issues from climate change to immigration is to boot Trump from office.
“We can’t act on climate as long as we have a climate denier in the White House,” he told the crowd of about 200 people.
Much of the town hall focused on his presidential campaign, but Bennet said it’s not affecting his ability to serve Colorado as its senior senator.
“I follow what’s going on in Colorado when I’m here and when I’m not here,” Bennet said. “I think that I’ve continued to represent the state well and that will always be my first priority.”
Politico reports Bennet has missed about 30% of Senate votes this year.
Bennet also officially endorsed former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is among a slew of Democrats trying to unseat Republican Sen. Cory Gardner. His spot is considered one of the most vulnerable Republican seats in the country.
On health care, Bennet attempted to separate himself from plans put forward by his opponents for the 2020 Democratic nomination.
“What I don’t want to do is spend the next 10 years fighting a losing battle for Medicare for All,” he said.
Bennet suggests the country instead provide a public health care option.
He also said one of his first steps in the White House would be to undo Trump’s order to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. However, he also said he would try to avoid issuing executive orders and attempt to push legislation through traditional channels.
“Whatever our job is between now and next November, we have to do everything we can to defeat Donald Trump,” Bennet said.
