Week in Review; October 1-8, 2018

Week in Review

October 1-8, 2018 

What a week! Amidst the hustle and bustle in Washington, the Senate passed a multi-year authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and sent landmark legislation to combat the opioid crisis to the President’s desk for signature. 

TRADE

Some of the best news of the week was President Trump’s announcement of the new free-trade agreement with our neighbors to the North and South, Canada and Mexico. Senator Ernst had the opportunity to attend the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) signing ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House. Senator Ernst joined CBS This Morning to discuss the USMCA.

In addition, Ernst spoke with a number of Iowa news outlets, including Dustin Hoffman of Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, WOI-TV, Omaha World Herald, Siouxland Proud and KCRG about the importance of this trade deal for Iowa agriculture. She also joined Stuart Varney of Fox News to discuss the deal. 

DEFENSE

Senator Ernst also joined a host of media and folks at The Heritage Foundation for the release of their annual Index of U.S. Military Strength. She sat down with The Daily Signal to discuss her initial thoughts of the index as well as her national defense priorities as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

In other defense news, Ernst asked Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary James Mattis to provide information about what the U.S. military is preparing to do in response to the future use of chemical weapons in Syria. The Senator discussed this letter and more with Sirius XM’s Olivier Knox; and the Washington Examiner highlighted the Senator’s letter.

VETERAN CARE

In addition, Senator Ernst, along with her colleague Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), sent a letter to the Iowa City VA Health Care System seeking answers to ensure Iowa veterans are receiving the care that they need. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported on this issue and documented both Senator Ernst and Grassley’s efforts to take corrective action.

KAVANAUGH SCOTUS NOMINATION

An issue that is obviously at the top of everyone’s minds is the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Senator Ernst spoke with WOWT about Senator Grassley’s extraordinary leadership throughout this entire process and reiterated her support for the Judge. In addition, Quad City Times, Brietbart and Nexstar highlighted the Senator’s support of Kavanaugh.