Gardner continues to lead on national security issues with meetings in Colorado, abroad

After returning from a congressional delegation visit to the Middle East, U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) hosted a town hall on national security on Monday in Colorado.

Gardner, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, recently participated in a congressional delegation trip to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The delegation met with Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat, as well as security officials.

“Our discussions with heads of state and national security leaders in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel highlighted the importance of international cooperation to defeat ISIL and addressing the growing instability in the Middle East, which in part can be attributed to an increasingly belligerent Iran,” Gardner said. “Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and several leaders in the region expressed many concerns that I share regarding Iran’s compliance with the nuclear agreement. The United States must do everything in its power to protect our friend and ally, Israel, and to assure all our allies that we are committed to ending terror and radicalism with strong U.S. leadership.”

At the national security town hall Gardner hosted in Colorado on Monday, the senator fielded questions about North Korea, the potential transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Colorado and the president’s foreign policy strategy.

“Local elected officials, law enforcement and community leaders all contributed to a productive conversation that focused on national security issues in Fremont County,” Gardner said. “From the rise of ISIS, to President Obama’s reckless proposal to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States, our country faces significant national security challenges. Keeping Coloradans safe is my top priority and that’s why I’ll continue to support policies that ensure our security is not undermined and promote a stronger, safer America.”