Dear Friend,

Committed to Reforming our Broken Healthcare System

After years of double digit premium increases on the individual market, and 145,000 Coloradans paying a fine to the IRS because they cannot afford the insurance options available to them, it is clear the status quo is simply unacceptable. As I have said many times, I will do whatever I can to rescue Coloradans from Obamacare’s failures.

I’ve called for healthcare reform to to be a bipartisan process, and I hope that members on both sides of the aisle can work together to develop a healthcare system that works for the American people. I remain committed to reforming our nation's broken healthcare system, and I'll continue to work to bring relief to Coloradans being hurt by the negative impacts of Obamacare.

Sanctioning Russia, Iran, and North Korea

Last night, Republicans and Democrats came together to take action against Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Russia must be held accountable for their influence campaign during the 2016 election and this legislation will do just that. The United States Congress sent a strong message to Vladimir Putin: the United States will not stand idly by as you undermine democracy and human rights around the globe. Iran and North Korea continue to defy international sanctions and their belligerence must also have consequences. It is important we enacted these sanctions and showed the world the United States will not stand by as our adversaries threaten us and our allies.

While this legislation is a step in the right direction to stop the madman in Pyongyang, more needs to be done. I have introduced bipartisan legislation that imposes an economic embargo on North Korea and punishes the regime’s enablers, most notably China. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to see this legislation become law and apply the necessary pressure to North Korea and its enablers.

Protecting Colorado Water Rights for Hemp Farmers

Last week, I joined with Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and a bipartisan group of other Western state senators to introduce legislation to ensure farmers across the West can use the water they own through private water rights to grow industrial hemp in states where it is legal.

A pilot program created by the 2014 Farm Bill granted permission to state Departments of Agriculture to license farmers to grow industrial hemp. The Bureau of Reclamation, however, prohibits the use of federally-controlled water for growing industrial hemp. These conflicting policies create confusion for farmers who grow, or wish to grow, industrial hemp using water from federal reservoirs. The Industrial Hemp Water Rights Act would clarify federal policy, ensuring owners of water rights can use their water, even if it passes through federal facilities, to cultivate industrial hemp.

Colorado's industrial hemp farmers should not be restricted by over-burdensome federal regulations that don't respect Colorado's water laws. This bipartisan legislation recognizes our farmers' right to access Colorado water and makes sure the federal government cannot interfere with out their operations. Coloradans know how best to manage our state's water and it is time for the federal government to get out of the way and allow Colorado's farming operations to succeed."

Addressing Train Horn Noise in Northern Colorado

I enjoyed meeting with Ron Batory, President Trump’s nominee to be Federal Railroad Administrator. We discussed train horn noise and the problems it has caused for Colorado communities, including Fort Collins and Loveland. I’ll continue to work with the Federal Railroad Administration and have an open dialogue with the agency to find a local solution that puts Colorado’s needs first.

Repairing U.S. 34

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the US Highway 34 construction project and saw first-hand how the federal resources I helped secure impact Coloradans every day. The Colorado Department of Transportation has been in close contact with my office since the devastating floods in 2013 and together we found a way to ensure the necessary federal funding was available to the state of Colorado to finish the project in a timely manner.

Be sure to read more in the Loveland Reporter-Herald here. 

Meeting with Colorado's Veterans

On Friday, I had the chance to thank our Colorado veterans for their service and talk about issues with the VA, funding our national defense, and the threat from North Korea.

Touring Rocky Mountain National Park with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke

My family and I toured Rocky Mountain National Park with Interior Secretary Zinke on Saturday and had the opportunity to stand alongside Secretary Zinke as he announced critical funding grants for the park. We must continue to be good stewards of our National Parks and protect these treasures for future generations. I want to thank Secretary Zinke for highlighting a crown jewel of Colorado’s public lands and the dedicated Park employees that care for this land every day.

Meeting FBI Director Nominee Christopher Wray

I enjoyed meeting Christopher Wray and am confident in his ability to lead the FBI. He is a man of great integrity and has the requisite experience and respect from rank and file FBI agents to get the job done. The men and women at the FBI devote their lives to protecting our country from foreign and domestic threats, including Russia’s influence campaign during the 2016 election and North Korea’s cyber-attacks on U.S. companies. I believe Christopher Wray will be an asset to them as they continue their duty to our country.

Need Help with a Federal Agency? 

My staff is available to assist you with finding out the status of a case and requesting additional information from a federal agency. I have offices in Denver, Durango, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, Greeley, Yuma, and Colorado Springs. Learn more about how we can help 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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