State of Wyoming Archives: on Homeland Security

Charlie Hardy: Establish "peace bases" with a smaller military

Cynthia Lummis: Prohibit transfer of anyone detained at Guantanamo Bay

"These detainees may pose a threat to the U.S.," said Rep. Lummis. "With released Gitmo detainees returning to the fight we cannot afford to let a campaign promise override security concerns. President Obama needs to be less concerned with political points and more concerned with Americans' safety."

Cynthia Lummis: Our national defense must be the strongest in the world

A: I believe our national defense must be the strongest in the world. This sends an important message to friends and foes of both our military capability and are strong commitment to eradicating terrorism around the globe. To accomplish this goal, we must improve and expand information sharing and collective security efforts. We must do everything we can to limit the production of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. We must also ensure our local, state and federal law enforcement are collaborating and have the resources they need to thwart domestic terrorism attempts. At the same time, I have raised concerns over the extended presence of U.S. troops abroad without a clear mission. President Trump has done a fantastic job in showcasing our military might with strategic missions that limit the use of troops on the ground, such as the killing of Qasem Soleimani.

Dave Freudenthal: $1.9M for Military Assistance Trust Fund

Gary Trauner: We don't need government prying into our everyday lives

Gary Trauner: Fight to remove the political manipulations on veterans

• I WILL never forget America's solemn commitment with America's veterans--to ensure that they are treated with the dignity & respect they deserve
• I WILL fight for a dedicated funding stream, free from political manipulation
• I WILL fight to improve access and reduce backlogs for all veterans
• I WILL never forget that the best way to ensure the health & safety of our armed service members is to ensure that armed conflict is a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.

Liz Cheney: Obama doesn't believe in American exceptionalism; I do

A: You have to look at some of his own speeches. Look at the speech he made at the U.N. in 2009, when he said no world order that elevates one nation above others can long survive. That's not somebody who believes in American exceptionalism. Going to Cairo that year, talking about how America abandoned its values after 9/11. You don't go onto foreign soil, the home of Mohammed Atta, and criticize us. This is a president who is uncomfortable with American strength, uncomfortable with American power. I believe he came into office intending to take us down a notch. I think he came into office believing we're a force for ill in the world.

Liz Cheney: Balance liberty & security, but don't shut down NSA spying

A: I think if you looked at the differences between my dad and me, I think the biggest difference is he's never been a 47-year-old mother of five. Another area is he's more confident in the NSA program. My view of the NSA program is the following: I think it saved lives. I think it prevented attacks. And I don't think we can be in a position where we're saying, shut the whole thing down. But I do know that today, with a President who so clearly flouts the rule of law and the Constitution, there are legitimate concerns about whether we have the balance between civil liberties and our security right. That's a question we have to ask constantly.

Liz Cheney: Radical Islamic terrorism threat grows if we do nothing

CHENEY: The over reaching threat to our freedom, Constitution, and individual liberties. How have these rights been protected? This administration has a massive expansion of the federal government and the complete disregard for the rule of law. Americans should understand that we are really at a fork in the road, and if we head down the wrong road, we are going to look a lot like a European social democracy. The other issue is radical Islamic terrorism, a threat that is getting stronger today. With both these issues there is the potential of very dire consequences if we are to do nothing.

Mark Gordon: Provide a national defense second to none

In this troubled time, it is crucial that we not shrink from this obligation. Our world is becoming increasingly complex. In addition to our ongoing travails with Islamic extremists, we must also remain vigilant about threats emerging elsewhere from places like China, North Korea, and Venezuela.

I believe in a strong national defense that is properly deployed throughout the world. With that as a foundation, we need to have the best equipped, best rested and rotated military. We need to grow the armed forces to support the high operational tempo of current military operations. I am in favor of the addition of Special Forces, soldiers and Marines to meet the security challenges of the 21st Century.

Mark Gordon: Establish Wyoming's first Veterans Skilled Nursing facility

I commend to you the work of establishing Wyoming's first Veterans Skilled Nursing facility. It has been a long time in coming. Building this facility will mark an important step forward for our veterans.

More broadly, I believe we have an obligation to improve access to mental healthcare for our veterans, our first-responders, and ultimately for all citizens.

Substance abuse, moral injury (the impact of actions which violate core moral values), suicide and PTSD, these are all concerns we as a state need to address. We can do more in our communities to help support those who are struggling with crisis.

Happily, in Wyoming there are many organizations working to help those wrestling with these traumas. Through improved coordination of these non-profit, public, & private programs, we can provide better mental health services in places where people live.

Mark Gordon: We will partner with other states to address veteran suicide

Mark Gordon: Proud Wyoming remains critical component of nuclear triad

Matt Mead: Pay tribute to all people in uniform

The bravery and sacrifice of these individuals is beyond anything else, above all else. We can never repay them, but we will never forget them.

In 2013, our Guard had 2797 members. These men and women of the Guard volunteer to defend what we hold dear. They deploy overseas, with all the risks attendant in such deployment. They serve here at home for defense purposes and in disaster assistance. They have been tremendous--for example, with the serious floods of 2011 and the severe wildfires of the last two summers.

The same recognition is due those currently serving in the US military and our veterans. All of us--in fact the whole country--stand on the shoulders of our veterans. We pay tribute to them today and every day.

Matt Mead: Long-term commitment for veteran's tuition waiver

In my budget message, I discuss one benefit, the veteran's tuition waiver, which suffered from last year's session cuts. To address the issue in the interim, I moved money to fix the program during that interim period but it's just a short-term fix. I favor a long-term commitment to those who joined the Guard on the promise of tuition assistance was in place. I also favor some form of support for new recruits.

Scott Morrow: DOD is most corrupt and wasteful agency in history

A: No. We give nearly a trillion dollars each and every year ($886.3 billion THIS YEAR) via the constitutionally required NDAA or National Defense Authorization Act. This is required pursuant to Article I, Section 8, Clause 12 OF THE USA CONSTITUTION, clearly enumerating, "The Congress shall have Power To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years". After hundreds of years of legislation to support armies, et al, the DOD has become the most corrupt and wasteful agency in the history of the world. It could not even be audited!