Dear Friend,

Over the course of the past week, I had the opportunity to listen to Pope Francis address Congress and have been able to focus on many issues important to Coloradans. Please take a moment to read about my work on behalf of the people of Colorado this week.

Denver VA Hospital Funding

Today, the Senate authorized the $625 million in spending estimated to be required for the completion of the Denver VA Hospital currently under construction.

This hospital has been one of my top priorities in the Senate. Passage of this authorization is a major step towards the completion of the hospital, and should be the last authorization required for construction to be finished and the hospital’s doors opened.

Colorado veterans deserve the facility they were promised. It's time for the VA to deliver. You can watch my remarks on the Senate floor here.

 Pope Francis' Historic Address to Congress

Pope Francis has dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the Catholic Church, and the poor – inspiring people all around the globe to join him in caring for the less fortunate, and I was honored to witness his historic address to Congress.

I invited Denver Archbishop Aquila and Representative Angela Williams as my guests to the Pope's speech. Check out the images below for some behind the scenes photos from the day.

Funding the Government and Supporting the Troops

I believe it's important for the federal government to remain open, and for legislators to do their jobs. That is why I worked with Senator Bennet and submited a resolution that would require lawmakers to work together to find a solution in the event a shutdown does occur. Read the coverage from The Denver Post here.

Additionally, the Senate voted this week to fund the Department of Defense, and it’s unacceptable that a partisan minority in the Senate blocked this vote. The defense appropriations bill provides for our national defense and supports our troops, including the service men and women who work at the six military installations in Colorado.

At a time when we are facing new and emerging threats both at home and abroad, it’s more important now than ever that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to do what they do best: keep our country safe.

I’ll continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the defense appropriations bill moves through the legislative process, and the end product reflects Colorado’s priorities and provides a path to meet our national goals.

Protecting Colorado's Environment

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is one of the most critical tools we have for protecting our nation’s natural treasures. Its permanent reauthorization is supported by sportsmen, hunters, and many other Coloradans who appreciate the outdoors. It’s a responsible fiscal partnership and provides countless benefits.

I’ve supported making the LWCF’s authorization permanent throughout my time in the Senate, and I will continue to work towards making that goal a reality. That's why I joined my Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership urging them to help find a permanent solution to responsibly fund the preservation of public lands.

Read the coverage on my fight to authorize the LWCF from the The Ripon Advance here.

Additionally, after sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy about the need for a wastewater treatment plan to cleanup abandoned mines in the Upper Animas River basin, the EPA announced they will be building a temporary treatment facility. Read the coverage from The Colorado Springs Gazette here.

Thank you for taking the time to read my weekly update. If I can be of any assistance to you, please contact my Washington D.C. office at (202) 224-5941.

Sincerely,

Cory Gardner

United States Senator

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