Bennet, Lamborn work across aisle in attempt to squash McCain’s NORTHCOM idea

Sen. Michael Bennet and Congressman Doug Lamborn are bridging the partisan divide.

They tell KRDO NewsChannel 13 they will make sure U.S. Northern Command stays at its headquarters in Colorado Springs.

Northern Command started shortly after September 11, 2001.

It oversees control of our national defense. It’s located on Peterson Air Force Base.

In an effort to cut overhead at the Pentagon, Sen. John McCain of Arizona suggested merging NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM which oversees defense of South and Central America.

Bennet sent this statement to our newsroom.

“NORTHCOM’s mission of homeland defense has only become more important and more complex in recent years with the rise of ISIS, increased activity from Russia and North Korea, and cyber threats. NORTHCOM is critical to the security of our nation, and Colorado provides essential and unique assets to the command.”

Lamborn said: “I will fight alongside the Colorado Congressional delegation and state and local leaders to prevent NORTHCOM from being moved from its location in Colorado Springs. This is a solution in search of a problem. There is no valid reason to move NORTHCOM or to merge it with any other Combatant Command. The brave men and women at NORTHCOM have done an exceptional job in protecting our homeland in the wake of 9/11 and I will continue to do everything I can to support their essential mission.”

We asked NORTHCOM to respond to McCain’s proposal. A spokeswoman said the organization is unable to comment on Pentagon-related issues and ongoing congressional discussions.