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WEEK IN REVIEW
Dear Friend –
TODAY, the United States Military Academy will go head to head against the United States Naval Academy in “America’s Game.” I placed a friendly wager on the Army-Navy game with my friend and Navy veteran, Senator Rick Scott, by putting up some of Iowa’s famous Palmers Twin Bings against a Florida key lime pie. Go Army, Beat Navy!
Click here to watch our video.
Here’s a summary of what I’ve been working on this week:
Securing Key Provisions in the Annual Defense Bill
As a combat veteran and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, I was proud to support the annual defense bill, called the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
With my efforts, this year’s NDAA helps protect our troops, promote emerging technologies, preserve tax dollars, and prolong Iowa’s role in helping maintain our national defense. The bipartisan bill includes a number of key provisions, including my work to support troops and their families with another three percent pay raise, prevent military sexual assault, ensure proper-fitting equipment for female servicemembers, and hold the Pentagon accountable.
Fighting for critical COVID relief
As your voice in Washington, I’m continuing to stress what I’ve been hearing from Iowans across our state: additional COVID-19 relief is needed during this pandemic. I’m calling on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to cooperate to get a deal done. Iowans – and all Americans – are counting on this critical support.
Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.
More Support for Small Businesses
In Iowa, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has provided over 61,000 small businesses with loans totaling over $5.1 billion – saving hundreds of thousands of jobs in our state. At a Senate Small Business Committee hearing this week, I highlighted the importance of delivering additional relief to Iowa small businesses who have been hit hard by COVID-19.
Click here or on the image above to watch my questioning.
The PPP was created through bipartisan cooperation, and I’m once again calling on my colleagues to work together to ensure folks across Iowa and the nation are provided with the support they critically need.
Veterans’ Mental Health Bill Signed into Law
After selflessly serving our nation in combat, many of our veterans continue to fight an internal battle at home – including mental health issues and thoughts of suicide. As a combat veteran, I understand the challenges some of our servicemembers face when transitioning to civilian life.
That’s why I supported bipartisan legislation to help increase access to mental health resources for veterans across Iowa and the nation – and it was just signed into law this week.
In the Senate, I’ll continue to work across the aisle to ensure our nation’s heroes are provided with the support and care they deserve. I’m grateful for my colleagues and the president in getting this important bill signed into law.
Empowering Victims of Human Trafficking
In recent years, we’ve seen an uptick in human trafficking through pornography. Host websites that allow perpetrators to disseminate photos and video of sexual assaults or coerced sex acts on their platforms are evading the law while profiting directly from trafficking.
To help address this issue, I joinedmy colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Survivors of Human Trafficking Fight Back Act that would create a private right of action for victims of human trafficking and coerced pornography, allowing them to bring state claims to federal court.
BONUS READ
The annual defense bill—one Congress has passed on a bipartisan basis for 60 years—is vitally important to our warfighters around the globe who are sacrificing for our freedoms and defending our nation.
Click here or on the image above to read my column.
It is critical for our military men and women to be equipped for the battlefield of today and well into the future, and as a combat veteran, and mother of a West Point cadet, I will always fight to equip and support our servicemembers.
For more updates on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and Iowa, be sure to ‘Like’ my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter @SenJoniErnst, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Thank you!
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