Gardner Leads the Charge for a Stronger, Safer America

Press Release

During the state work period, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, traveled abroad and met with Coloradans to discuss national security threats facing the United States.

"From my conversations with both foreign leaders and Coloradans, it is evident that many people both at home and abroad share my concerns when it comes to the grave national security challenges our country faces," said Gardner. "From the growing instability in the Middle East to the potential transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States, it's clear that these evolving security threats require a more robust security strategy. America can no longer lead from behind, and that's why I will continue to support policies that will lead to a stronger, safer America."

Gardner spoke with Coloradans who voiced many of the same concerns foreign leaders expressed about the growing threat of global terrorism, including the recent ISIS attacks in Brussels. At a town hall focused on national security issues, local elected officials, including members of the law enforcement community, joined Gardner in Fremont County where he addressed North Korea's growing aggression, the threat ISIS poses, the President's failed foreign policy strategy, and the potential transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Colorado. Gardner recently traveled to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to visit the detention facility, and spoke with Colorado Sheriffs and local prison employees who continue to express significant concerns about the possible transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Colorado.

Gardner also traveled to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. In Qatar and Saudi Arabia, he met with top security officials and national leaders, including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. In Israel, Gardner met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.‎ Conversations with these foreign leaders highlight the importance of international cooperation to defeat ISIS and addressing the growing instability in the Middle East.

Background:

Gardner has been a vocal opponent of the President's deal with Iran.
Before the deal was reached, Gardner warned about the dangers of a nuclear Iran and denounced the deal when it was announced as a "bad deal with the murderous Iranian regime."
In October, Gardner asked Secretary Kerry whether the Administration believed Iranian ballistic missile launches violated a U.N. ban, and in December, Gardner urged action against Iran for its repeated violations of ballistic missile test bans.
Gardner joined his Republican colleagues in introducing two bills, the Iran Ballistic Missile Sanctions Act and the Iran Terrorism and Human Rights Act, that would impose tough sanctions on Iran in response to the regime's ballistic missile tests and human rights abuses.
Gardner joined his colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to pursue additional military options to fight ISIS.

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