WASHINGTON—As her bipartisan effort with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) to build a Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall continues to gain support and momentum, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine), Jason Crow (D-Wisc.), Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), Wounded Warrior Project CEO Mike Linnington, Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation CEO Marina Jackman, and Hassan at a press conference for Gold Star families and veterans urging Congress to pass their bill.
At today’s press conference, Ernst expressed her heartfelt gratitude to U.S. veterans and Gold Star families while urging Congress to pass her bipartisan Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act.
“For the past two decades since September 11, 2001, the selfless Americans who fought for our nation in Afghanistan have kept us safe while allowing us to enjoy the freedoms and liberties we cherish today. Their service was not in vain, and these valiant heroes deserve to be recognized with a memorial on our National Mall,” said Senator Ernst, a combat veteran who commanded 150 troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom. “As support and momentum for my bipartisan effort continues to grow, now is the time to honor the servicemembers, fallen soldiers, their families, and all those impacted by the Global War on Terrorism, and I will not rest until this memorial is made a reality on our National Mall.”
Background
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In the last two months, over two dozen senators have joined Ernst’s bill, including Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Rick Scott (Fla.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). The bill now has the support of 49 senators.
Ernst has also garnered support for her bipartisan bill from influential public figures, including Five for Fighting Singer John Ondrasik, Country Singer Kellie Pickler, American Actor Milo Ventimiglia, and American Actor Gary Sinise.
Ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Ernst penned a column pressing Congress to pass her bipartisan effort, writing in part: “The Global War on Terrorism Memorial on our National Mall would be a longstanding testament and reminder of their selflessness for generations to come. On behalf of all my fellow veterans and our servicemembers, I’ll keep fighting relentlessly to make this memorial a reality.”
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