Ernst, Manchin Bipartisan Legislation to Move Forward on the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Passes Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, bipartisan legislation championed by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), known as the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act, passed the Senate unanimously. The bill, sponsored by Congressmen Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) is a companion measure to S. 926 which Ernst and Manchin introduced in April. The legislation previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to President Trump’s desk.

The senators’ legislation authorizes the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, a private foundation, to begin the process of pursuing the construction of a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The memorial will honor our men and women in uniform, the fallen servicemembers, their families, and all those who have been impacted by our nation’s longest war.

“I am thrilled the Senate has overwhelmingly approved our bipartisan legislation, so that we can take another step closer toward honoring the brave men and women, and their loved ones, who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our nation with an important memorial,” said Senator Ernst, a combat veteran. “It is my hope that this memorial is a place for our veterans and their families to heal, honor, and remember all those impacted by this war.”

“Since September 11, 2001, brave warriors from all across our country have returned home from the battlefield with both visible and invisible wounds,” said Senator Manchin. “Our most courageous sons and daughters selflessly picked up arms to fight terror. It is incredibly important that we honor these men and women through this memorial, so that their stories may be told and remembered for generations.”

This authorization is the first step in a process that will culminate with the design and construction of a Global War on Terror Memorial on the National Mall without using any federal funds. 

Additionally, this legislation has received support from The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US (VFW), Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Of America (IAVA), Wounded Warrior Project, The Military Order of the Purple Heart,  American Veterans (AMVETS), American Goldstar Mothers, Student Veterans of America, The Green Beret Foundation, Team Rubicon, The Mission Continues, Team Red White and Blue, Travis Manion Foundation, Got Your Six, Warrior Expeditions, Union Veteran Council of the AFL-CIO, and Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS).