What I'm Working On
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Investing in Americans' health
Read the op-ed I authored in the Denver Post addressing the growing problem of obesity and its impacts on our health, health care spending and quality of military recruits.
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Military shouldn’t be over a barrel on fuel
Read the op-ed I wrote in Stars and Stripes on the importance of securing our energy future and improving our national security by investing in the military's use and development of alternative-fuel technology.
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Supporting Veterans Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals
On Nov. 3, 2011, I co-sponsored Senator Tom Udall's bipartisan Open Burn Pit Registry Act (S.1798) because our service members overseas are too frequently exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals from burn pits used to incinerate trash including human waste, plastic, batteries, scrap metals, solvents, and other potentially hazardous materials. We must do more to track and identify those exposed to hazardous chemicals from burn pits, to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to better understand and treat the threat posed by exposure to these fumes. Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line for our safety, and in return we have promised to provide them with the best possible care. I will always fight to protect and promote the health of our men and women in uniform.
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Visiting the Front Lines
In October 2011, I made my fourth trip as a Senator to Afghanistan and Pakistan to gain firsthand knowledge of front-line military operations, diplomatic efforts and operations against insurgent groups. When I returned, I authored an op-ed for the Steamboat Pilot about the future of the region.
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Fighting for the Best Health Care for our Troops
Our service members and their families sacrifice everything for our security, and they deserve the best care we can provide for them. With post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) affecting so many of our returning service members, it is especially important that we address these hidden wounds of war. That is why I recently introduced two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Act to improve the quality and accessibility of behavioral health care available to these heroes. One amendment would extend suicide-prevention services to active-duty troops and veterans in Colorado and across the country. The second would expand a behavioral health pilot program, which has been successful at Fort Carson, making it available to at least three other Army installations. When it comes to behavioral health care, the military has made significant progress. But the fact remains that too many of our troops return from service suffering from PTSD or TBI and struggle to get access to the care they need. I will always fight to ensure service members and veterans get the care they were promised and that they have earned.
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Tricare 26
Expanding Health Coverage for Our Military Families: As part of health insurance reform, which was signed into law March 2010, young adults are eligible to remain on their parents' health insurance policies up to age 26. In April 2010, I introduced the TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act, to make certain that families of our armed service members are not left behind when it comes to this important benefit. Extending insurance to cover young Americans until age 26 is critical, especially as they make the transition into the tough job market. Signed into law in December 2010, my bill now provides families who get their coverage through TRICARE - the military's insurance program - with the same benefit.
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Security Strategy
In Senate Armed Services Committee hearings and meetings, I have questioned Defense and State Department leaders - including Secretaries Gates and Clinton, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mullen, General McChrystal, Ambassador Eikenberry, and Special Representative Richard Holbrooke - on how we can implement a tough, smart security strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Achieving our Goals for the Region
Through future Senate Armed Services Committee hearings, scrutiny of budget requests and policy proposals, and visits to the region, I will continue to focus on ensuring we are taking the necessary steps to achieve our goals in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Military Advisory Committee
In 2009, I formed a Military Advisory Committee in Colorado to provide greater insight into the issues facing our Armed Forces. The members of my Military Advisory Committee have a wide range of professional backgrounds in varied defense fields and represent different political views. The expertise, advice, and ideas this committee provides will be instrumental in helping me shape smart policies that keep us safe and that keep Colorado's interests in mind.
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National Homeland Defense Foundation Symposium
On Veterans Day in 2009, I was honored to speak at the National Homeland Defense Foundation Symposium in Colorado Springs. In my speech to the group, I highlighted the need for a tough but smart national security policy. As I told this group, we must have a broad approach to our security, whether it is supporting the important roles NORTHCOM and NORAD play in keeping the homeland safe or increasing our focus on the threats presented by cyberterrorism.
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Senate Armed Services Committee
From my position on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have helped secure authorization and robust funding for Colorado's military installations and kept funding on track to accelerate destruction of chemical weapons at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. In 2009, I led the fight for funding to help with the problem of encroachment at military installations, which can jeopardize an installation's mission and the economic well-being of surrounding communities. And I successfully pushed for increased oversight and coordination of efforts across the military services to improve our energy security.
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Halifax International Security Forum
In November 2009, Senator John McCain and I led a Congressional delegation to the Halifax International Security Forum. The focus of this inaugural forum was to increase global discussion and cooperation on such issues as Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, international law, and emerging terrorism threats. I look forward to continuing to work to increase cooperation and bipartisanship on difficult issues through events like the Halifax Forum.
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Visiting Troops on the Ground
Since 2003, I have traveled twice to Iraq to gain firsthand knowledge of military operations and our ongoing political commitment to the region. This experience, along with gaining input from Coloradans, helps me build a foundation from which to make tough but smart national security decisions as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
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Oversight Responsibility
In Senate Armed Services Committee hearings and meetings, I have questioned Defense Department leaders - including Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, General Petraeus, and General Odierno - about our redeployment plans and diplomatic strategy in Iraq. This important oversight and review ensures we are setting the right goals and that our fighting men and women have the guidance to succeed. Through future Armed Services Committee hearings, scrutiny of budget requests and policy proposals, and visits to Iraq, I will continue to focus on how we achieve our goals in that country. We must strategically pave the way for Iraqis to take control of their security and governance to free U.S. resources and personnel to focus on other national security efforts.
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Mental Health Care
Making sure that our veterans and soldiers get access to quality medical care, including behavioral health services, is critical. In October 2009, I pressed Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to allow greater veterans' access to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment programs by broadening the standards of what constitutes legitimate PTSD claims. PTSD is an increasingly common ailment on today's battlefields, and we must do all we can to ensure America's veterans get the care they have earned.