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Dear Friend,

This week, one of the many issues I focused on was my North Korea sanctions legislation, the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved it.

North Korea Sanctions Legislation

The Obama Administration’s policy of ‘strategic patience’ toward North Korea has been a strategic failure. Despite North Korea’s repeated nuclear tests and long record of gross human rights atrocities, which represent a grave threat to global security, North Korea’s Forgotten Maniac has been met with indifference instead of strength. We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the North Korean threat.

The North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act imposes broad, mandatory sanctions on the North Korean regime in order to apply the pressure required to change North Korea’s pattern of illicit activities that have gone unchecked for too long. The Senate is expected to act in the coming weeks. Please watch my short video here.

Honoring a Fallen Officer

This week, I took to the Senate floor to honor Officer Vernon Alston, a dedicated member of the Capitol Police who passed away after suffering a heart attack last weekend. The Capitol Police's support is invaluable and unwavering, and this week, it is our turn to support them as they mourn the loss of a dear colleague and friend. Please watch my short video here.

National School Choice Week

This week, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution I sponsored designating the week of January 24th to January 30th as National School Choice Week. National School Choice Week highlights the importance of empowering parents with greater control over their children’s education, and the benefits that come with it. A good education is the foundation for success, and parents are in the best position to determine what school matches their child’s individual educational needs. I have remained a strong proponent of expanding school choice as it improves quality and encourages competition, and I’ll continue to work to maximize parental choice for childhood education in order to provide our children with more opportunities to excel. Additionally, I submitted an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in support of Douglas County School District’s Choice Scholarship Program.

Speaking with Coloradans

I enjoyed speaking with more than 100 CU Advocates about issues relating to higher education at the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver.

 

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to call Coloradans to let them know I nominated them to a Service Academy. It's one of the best parts of my job.


 

In the News

  

Senate panel agrees to Cory Gardner bill on North Korea

January 28, 2016

A North Korean sanctions bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner unanimously passed the Senate Foreign Relations committee on Thursday — a move that increases the likelihood Congress will endorse a raft of new penalties for the longtime U.S. adversary.

Notably, the legislation includes mandatory punishments for North Korean cyber-criminals, as well as sanctions for business dealings that involve precious metals that could help Pyongyang and its effort to develop weapons of mass destruction.

“This is groundbreaking in terms of its sanctioning of cyber attacks,” said Gardner, R-Colo., in a phone interview. “And that’s important — critically important — because North Korea is improving its asymmetric cyber capabilities.”

Read the full story 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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