Cory Gardner's policy leaning on criminal justice is primarily conservative, though with some libertarian influences. He demonstrated a conservative stance by voting in favor of proceeding with the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act, which aimed to penalize jurisdictions not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Furthermore, he voted against the confirmation of Loretta Lynch as Attorney General, a partisan conservative move. However, he also showed a more libertarian-leaning by opposing the federal prohibition on marijuana in states that legalized it and by supporting the USA FREEDOM Act to limit government metadata collection, reflecting a concern for individual liberties and limited government over expansive federal power in certain areas.
Source: Cory Gardner - Ballotpedia Cory Gardner's economic policy leaning is strongly conservative, consistently advocating for reduced government intervention and fiscal discipline. He supported a balanced budget amendment, aimed to limit federal spending growth, and voted against increasing the debt limit. On taxation, Gardner championed a single-rate tax system, sought to repeal capital gains and death taxes, and voted for President Trump's 2017 tax cuts, aligning with a pro-tax cut stance. Furthermore, he favored regulatory relief for businesses and opposed minimum wage increases, indicating a clear preference for free-market principles and less government oversight in the economy.
Source: Cory Gardner on the Issues Cory Gardner's policy leaning on education appears to be somewhat conservative, focusing on market-based solutions to educational challenges. He demonstrated this by co-sponsoring the Employer Participation in Repayment Act in February 2019. This legislation aimed to enable employers to contribute up to $5,250 towards their employees' student loans, thereby encouraging private sector involvement in addressing student debt. This approach aligns with conservative principles of leveraging private entities and incentives rather than expanding direct government programs or funding for education. His actions suggest a preference for limited government intervention and fostering private solutions within the education sector.
Source: Cory Gardner - Wikipedia Cory Gardner's energy policy leaning is primarily conservative, advocating for an "all-of-the-above" approach that balances fossil fuel production with clean energy development. He strongly supports the oil and gas industry, opposes the Green New Deal, and aligned with the Trump administration's environmental policy rollbacks. However, Gardner also champions renewable energy, supporting funding for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, energy storage technology, and carbon capture. He co-authored the Great American Outdoors Act and acknowledges human contributions to climate change, seeking market-based solutions. Despite these efforts, his low ratings from environmental groups highlight a consistent conservative stance on energy, prioritizing economic growth and traditional energy sources alongside some clean energy initiatives.
Source: Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Formally Endorses Cory Gardner for Senate - Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Cory Gardner's policy leaning on foreign relations is conservative, as evidenced by his vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. This legislation included provisions for North Korea nuclear sanctions, indicating a preference for assertive measures against nations perceived as threats. His support for such sanctions aligns with a conservative foreign policy approach that prioritizes national security through strong diplomatic and economic pressure on adversaries, rather than more conciliatory or multilateral approaches often favored by liberals.
Source: Cory Gardner - Ballotpedia Cory Gardner's stance on government dependence is very conservative, primarily demonstrated through his strong opposition to government-run healthcare. He consistently criticized the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) as "the arrogance of government" and a "government-run approach," advocating instead for market-based solutions and individual choice. Gardner explicitly stated he does not want "socialized medicine" and expressed concerns about the long-term sustainability and cost of Medicaid expansion. His policy positions reflect a clear preference for limiting government intervention in areas like healthcare, aiming to reduce reliance on state-provided services and promote private sector alternatives.
Source: Cory Gardner Wants to Get Rid of Obamacare. But It’s Not Clear What He Plans to Replace It with. - The Colorado Sun Cory Gardner's healthcare policy leaning is conservative, primarily defined by his consistent efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which he characterized as "the arrogance of government" (Cory Gardner Wants to Get Rid of Obamacare. But It’s Not Clear What He Plans to Replace It with. - The Colorado Sun, n.d.). He advocated for market-driven solutions, such as allowing health insurance companies to sell plans across state lines to foster competition and reduce costs, and pushed for faster regulatory review of medical devices. While he publicly supported protections for pre-existing conditions, his legislative proposals on this issue were criticized as vague and insufficient by experts, especially given his votes to dismantle the ACA, which established these protections. His overall approach prioritizes individual choice and less government intervention over a "government-run approach".
Source: Cory Gardner Wants to Get Rid of Obamacare. But It’s Not Clear What He Plans to Replace It with. - The Colorado Sun Cory Gardner's immigration stance leans conservative, prioritizing robust border security while also seeking bipartisan solutions for undocumented immigrants. He co-sponsored an amendment allocating $25 billion for border security, including wall funding, and supported a 12-year pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. While he initially voted against protecting Dreamers, he later advocated for their legal status, believing in a "system in place" for border protection involving technology and personnel. He also supported increasing high-skilled and family-based visa caps, indicating a pragmatic approach to legal immigration within a framework emphasizing enforcement and national security.
Source: Bennet, Gardner Introduce Bipartisan Immigration Amendment - U.S. Senator Michael Bennet Cory Gardner's policy leaning on national security is strongly conservative, characterized by an assertive approach to global leadership and confronting adversaries. As Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity, he championed the landmark Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, which provided billions for defense and promoted democracy in the Indo-Pacific region. Gardner also led efforts to impose the first-ever mandatory sanctions, including cyber-sanctions, against North Korea, citing its nuclear threats and human rights abuses as direct threats to national security. His focus on strengthening U.S. leadership and defense in competition with China further underscores his conservative stance on international security matters.
Source: Cory Gardner | International Republican Institute Cory Gardner's policy leaning on reducing the budget deficit is very conservative, consistently advocating for fiscal discipline and limited government spending. He formally co-sponsored a Balanced Budget Amendment, demonstrating his commitment to controlling federal expenditures. Furthermore, Gardner's campaign website explicitly states that "Washington’s spending spree has to stop" and that a balanced federal budget is an "important step towards regaining the trust of the American people." This philosophy, emphasizing cutting government and spending to allow the marketplace to thrive, firmly places him on the conservative end of the spectrum regarding deficit reduction.
Source: Cory Gardner - Ballotpedia Cory Gardner's policy leaning on the "war on drugs" is somewhat liberal, as he consistently advocates for reduced federal intervention in drug policy. He strongly opposed Attorney General Jeff Sessions' efforts to rescind Obama-era guidance that discouraged federal prosecution of marijuana cases in states where it's legal. Gardner even threatened to block Department of Justice nominees until Sessions honored a commitment not to prioritize federal enforcement in such states. This stance, while often framed as a state's rights issue, effectively champions drug reform and less punitive federal action, moving away from the traditional "war on drugs" approach.
Source: Democrats See Political Opportunity in Sessions Marijuana Policy Shift
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