Ernst Applauds Senate’s Bipartisan Approval of Additional Sanctions on Russia, Iran, North Korea

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the United States Senate voted to pass the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act, legislation to increase sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea.

“As I have said many times before, Russia is not our friend, and poses a serious threat through their support for the murderous Bashar al-Assad regime, annexation of Crimea, and malicious cyber activity. Additionally, Iran continues its ballistic missile program and support for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah. Meanwhile, North Korea, which Secretary of Defense James Mattis cited as the ‘most urgent and dangerous threat’, continues to defy the U.S. by expanding nuclear and ballistic missile programs. These sanctions are greatly needed to help protect the United States.

“I am glad Congress is taking a strong bipartisan and decisive stance against our adversaries, and urge the President to sign this legislation into law.”