Outgoing Colorado U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner reflected on his career in Washington and called for his colleagues to work together for America in his farewell address Tuesday on the Senate floor.
Gardner, a Republican from Yuma, said it was the duty of all, regardless of political affiliation, to compromise and work with each other to leave the nation better off for future generations.
“All of us here in the Senate, the American people, all of us, are responsible for the starting point that we hand off to the next generation,” he said, “and we have a moral obligation to make it the best starting point possible.”
Gardner celebrated a few of his legislative accomplishments as supporting the goal of bettering the country for future generations; among others, he mentioned this year’s passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in July and the bill establishing a 9-8-8 suicide hotline in October.
He recalled the late Sen. Bill Armstrong’s words during his speech as he called on legislators to return to principle. Gardner said in today’s Senate, political tactics were outweighing principles in negotiation and that without flexibility and a willingness to compromise on details, bipartisan negotiations would struggle to succeed.
“We cannot govern when every tactic and detail is elevated to the level of principle,” he said. “There is no compromise with this approach.”
In a speech after Gardner’s remarks, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, expressed a similar sentiment, saying even though he and Gardner come from different parties, Gardner was willing to compromise and work together to create legislation.
“Even though Cory and I have had plenty of differences over the years, there’s a real record of bipartisan accomplishment for our state,” Bennet said. “And one of the reasons for that is because, whatever our differences on policy, I have never for a moment doubted Cory’s commitment to serving the interests of Colorado and his genuine appreciation for what makes us the best state in America.”
Bennet and Gardner have served together in the Senate for six years since Gardner was sworn in after defeating incumbent Sen. Mark Udall in the 2014 Senate race. Before that, Gardner first came to Congress after being elected in 2010 to represent Colorado’s 4th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.
Gardner lost his re-election bid this year to former Gov. John Hickenlooper. During his speech, Gardner spoke about the peaceful transition of power between parties as a facet of what gives America its strength, in what could be perceived as a reference to the discord sewn by President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede the presidential election.
Gardner remembered his early days in Washington, where he watched as the House speaker’s gavel was handed from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party and said that his seat changing hands was another example of the age-old transfer of power.
“Today, I speak on the Senate floor with a heart of gratitude that as I leave with a new Congress set to begin,” Gardner said, “I go home not because of or due to the threat of violence or revolution, but because of that same constitutional governance that has given this country over two centuries of strength and certainty, a jewel among nations, exceptionally blessed by God.”
Gardner’s speech was preceded and followed by remarks from other senators, including John Thune, R-N.D., and Susan Collins, R-Maine. His colleagues celebrated his focus, willingness to compromise and good attitude.
When he concluded his speech, he ended it as he began, speaking about his hope for the future of America and of his own gratitude for his time representing Colorado.
“Thank you to my colleagues, thank you for the honor of serving with you,” he said. “And, madam president, this kid from Yuma yields the floor.”
John Purcell is an intern for The Durango Herald and The Journal in Cortez and a student at American University in Washington, D.C.
