ICYMI: Ernst Secures Wins in Final Defense Bill

WASHINGTON – Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, included several provisions in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 to protect the homeland and keep Americans safe, deter Iranian aggression, stem the fentanyl crisis, and defund the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This legislation, passed with bipartisan support, will be signed into law.

Deterring and interdicting Iranian-backed attacks to keep U.S. servicemembers safe:

Jewish Insider: Defense bill provision could be key to combating Iran, Houthi threats at sea, senators say

“’If there are threats at sea, whether it’s under the water, or even naval activity on the surface, we will be able to see that, interdict it and deter those Iranian-backed terrorists and prevent attacks and save American lives,’ Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), a lead backer of the MARITIME Act and co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, told Jewish Insider on Tuesday. ‘It’s very timely that this is going through the NDAA right now.’”

“‘I think it’s really important that we continue working with our partners and allies and sharing that information and working together to push back on Iran as this does,’ Ernst continued.”

“Ernst said that the MARITIME Act initiative would go further than the multinational task forces that the administration is seeking to establish to protect cargo vessels and shipping lanes in the Red Sea, but she said it could ‘absolutely nest in with other activities we would need to see from the administration.’”

Washington Free Beacon: Congress Approves Plan To Combat Iranian Attacks at Sea

“Included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual budget bill passed earlier this month, is a provision that requires the Pentagon to develop strategies to confront Iranian threats at sea, where Tehran and its terror proxies are routinely harassing American military and commercial ships.”

"’The Biden administration is extremely weak on this front,’ Ernst told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview. ‘It’s really timely [to get this law passed] because we just saw the Houthis and these other terrorist proxy orgs increasing their attacks. We’re seeing a lot of aggression coming from Iran and their proxies and this will help push back against that.’"

Securing our border to protect the homeland:

Fox News: Sen Joni Ernst scores 'step forward' on border security in must-pass military funding bill

“Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, scored a few border security provisions in the 3,000-page must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that the upper chamber is expected to advance by Wednesday evening” 

“Ernst negotiated with the Democrat-led upper chamber on provisions that direct the Pentagon to create a counter-narcotics strategy focused on fentanyl, which involves increased collaboration with Mexico. There's also a mandate for the secretary of defense to present and implement a plan for utilizing, transferring or donating wall materials for ports of entry and construction initiatives aimed at curbing illegal migrant and vehicle movement across the southern border.”

"’We're trying to end waste and address the humanitarian and national security crisis at the border,’ Ernst said. ‘We've already purchased a lot of border material; it's just lying there out in the desert, so let's have the secretary of defense come up with a plan and provide that to Congress.’"

Protecting taxpayer dollars from risky research of pandemic potential:

“Your tax dollars are no longer bank rolling that Chinese lab at the center of the COVID origins debate. Turns out, the money only stopped going to the Wuhan Lab, thanks to a Republican Senator’s legislative action.”

“Senator Joni Ernst just pushed through an amendment in the annual Pentagon spending bill and is touting a major victory.”

Daily Mail: Pentagon BLOCKED from sending taxpayer dollars to Wuhan lab: Congress takes action in defense bill after $47 million was funneled into grants for 'reprehensible' animal experimentation - including at China's COVID lab-leak site

“Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who included the measure in the NDAA, told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview this week that American dollars 'have been diverted in the past to institutions in communist China.' She is working to trace the money and ensure that future taxpayer funds are not spend on 'experimentation that is reprehensible to the American public.'”

“EcoHealth continues to 'defy Congress,' she accused and said that the organization is still not providing requesting information on the types of studies they are conducting.”

“We know that the Chinese and the CCP do not have the same level or concern for their researchers.”

Free Beacon: Months After Biden Claimed to Defund Wuhan Lab, Senate Republicans Move To Finish The Job

“The Chinese lab widely considered to be the source of the coronavirus had access to federal funds for months after the White House claimed to have cut them off. That could now change, thanks to Senator Joni Ernst.”

Supporting our veterans:

Military.com: Crackdown on Stolen Valor by Businesses Included in Defense Bill Set to Become Law

"’For too long, loopholes have allowed imposters to self-certify as service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses and take advantage of government benefits set aside for our nation's heroes,’ Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, an Army National Guard veteran who sponsored the amendment, said in a statement to Military.com.”

Securing Iowa’s role in protecting our national defense:

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa’s Ernst touts defense bill boost for small businesses seeking federal contracts

“U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran who has a hand in federal defense policy, says she wants to ensure vendor contracts procured by the Pentagon are open to small businesses. That’s why the Iowa Republican is highlighting a provision she secured in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, for fiscal 2024 that aims to examine barriers small businesses may face when trying to break into the federal marketplace.”

“According to Ernst’s office, 945 Iowa small businesses were participating in federal contracting as vendors in 2009, but that dropped to 336 by 2022, representing nearly a 65% loss.”

“’It is critical that Iowa continue to lead the way in providing for our nation’s defense,’ Ernst told States Newsroom in a statement Tuesday. ‘I’m proud to include my work in this year’s defense bill to streamline and increase competition for defense contracts and unlock more opportunities for Iowans,’ said Ernst.”

Strengthening the role of our warfighters:

Defense One: As irregular warfare comes to a crossroads, Congress chips in

“’Special Operations are our nation’s premier force during peacetime and war. As China increases the pace of its own power and will, and Iran-backed proxies threaten our servicemembers, the United States must be prepared to take on the risks of the 21st century and deter aggression. To counter these growing threats, I’m expanding authority for Special Operations to better achieve their mission,’ Ernst said in a statement to Defense One.”

Countering the threat of China:

Ernst’s work to increase cooperation with Pacific Island Nations to counter China’s malign influence was also included in final NDAA.

“China’s aggressive activity throughout the Indo-Pacific necessitates U.S. action. The location of the COFA nation islands is integral to our strategic interests, but the lack of direct security channels between our nations creates risk. Through increased coordination, my effort strengthens cooperation in the region and helps expose and counter Chinese coercion,” said Ernst. “Before a crisis arises in the Pacific, we must ensure our relationship with these islands is not corrupted by the CCP.”

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