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Joni Ernst on Homeland Security

 

 


I understand the importance a strong national defense

Question topic: The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries.

Ernst: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.

Ernst: Defense/Military- As a veteran, I understand the importance a strong national defense, and taking care of those soldiers who have laid their lives on the line for our freedom.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Iowa Senate race , Sep 30, 2014

Military experience always plays role in decision-making

Ernst highlighted her experience in the Iowa National Guard, having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2004. "As a leader in the Iowa Guard, I've experienced first hand the challenges these lengthy and difficult missions bring to our troops and their families," Ernst said. "Experiences such as these will always play a role in my decision-making process on any related national policy."
Source: KMA Land, 99.1 FM on 2014 Iowa Senate race , Jan 2, 2014

Keep veterans in forefront of all foreign policy decisions

Joni Ernst, a state senator from Red Oak who serves as a commander in the Iowa Army National Guard, remarked that what drives her is a desire to protect Iowa values from federal overreach. Ernst choked up when she spoke about the military service of her family members and all the Iowa soldiers who have served in the Middle East. She said she will always keep them in the forefront of her mind as she makes foreign policy decisions in Congress.
Source: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier on 2014 Iowa Senate race , Sep 23, 2013

Strong national defense makes the world is a safer place

Joni believes in a strong national defense because she knows the world is a safer place when America is the strongest nation on the planet. She believes that military readiness cannot be allowed to fall victim to Washington politics or bureaucratic maneuvering. Joni also believes that American foreign policy must be consistent and strong--never giving our enemies hesitation as to America's resolve to defend herself and her interests across the globe, whether by diplomatic means or use of force.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, JoniForIowa.com, "Issues" , Sep 9, 2013

I'm a veteran; honor and care for our nation's veterans

Honoring America's Heroes: Our Veterans: As a Lt. Colonel and battalion commander in the Iowa Army National Guard, Joni knows first-hand the incredible service, and sacrifices, our men and women in uniform have given, and continue to provide, our great nation. In the senate, she will fight as hard for them, and their families, as they have fought for us. That means caring for wounded warriors, streamlining the VA benefit system, improving veteran education and job training programs, and accounting for all military personnel, from every avenue, to ensure no soldier, sailor, airmen, marine or coastguardsmen is ever left behind.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, JoniForIowa.com, "Issues" , Sep 9, 2013

No transfers of Gitmo prisoners to US or abroad.

Ernst co-sponsored H.R.401 & S.165

Congressional Summary: To extend and enhance limitations on the transfer or release of individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay. No amounts appropriated for any agency of the US Government may be used, for two years, to construct or modify any facility in the US, to house an individual detained at Guantanamo.

Proponents reasons for voting YEA: Rep. WALORSKI: 21 terrorists have been released just in November alone to foreign countries. This measure would repeal current law that has allowed the administration to transfer prisoners to foreign countries and reduce the population at GTMO down to 127. Detainees at GTMO pose a real threat to our national security. HR 401 would prohibit any detainee transfers to Yemen. Yemen's branch of al Qaeda was founded by former GTMO detainees. We cannot risk trusting the world's most dangerous terrorists to its most dangerous places, nor should we simply cut them loose in rich, stable countries with no security safeguards in place.

Opponents reasons for voting NAY: (CloseGuantanamo.org article, Jan. 2015): The prison at Guantanamo Bay has been open for 13 years. In 2009, President Obama pledged to close Guantanamo within a year. Yet it remains open, undermining America's values and national security. Almost half of the remaining 122 prisoners--55 men in total--were cleared for release in 2010 through 2013. Some of these men were previously cleared by the Bush Administration--some as long ago as 2004. It is unacceptable that the U.S. government continues to hold men that its own national security experts have recommended for release or transfer, and that Congress has intervened to maintain this deplorable state of affairs. We call for the immediate closure of Guantanamo. Guantanamo harms our nation every day it stays open, and it continues to serve as a potent symbol for terrorist recruitment.

Source: Detaining Terrorists to Protect America Act 15_S165 on Feb 23, 2015

$515B for military plus $89B off sequester for wars.

Ernst voted YEA National Defense Authorization Act

Congressional Summary: HR 1735: The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies regarding the military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD), and military construction. This bill also authorizes appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which are exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill authorizes appropriations for base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities and prohibits an additional BRAC round.

Wikipedia Summary: The NDAA specifies the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense (DOD) for Fiscal Year 2016. The law authorizes the $515 billion in spending for national defense and an additional $89.2 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations fund (OCO).

Opposition statement by Rep. Gerry Connolly (May 15, 2015): Congressman Connolly said he opposed the bill because it fails to end sequestration, and pits domestic investments versus defense investments. Said Connolly, "This NDAA uses a disingenuous budget mechanism to circumvent sequestration. It fails to end sequestration."

Support statement by BreakingDefense.com(Sept, 2015): Republicans bypassed the BCA spending caps (the so-called sequester) by shoving nearly $90 billion into the OCO account, designating routine spending as an emergency war expenses exempted from the caps. This gimmick got President Barack Obama the funding he requested but left the caps in place on domestic spending, a Democratic priority. "The White House's veto announcement is shameful," Sen. John McCain said. "The NDAA is a policy bill. It cannot raise the budget caps. It is absurd to veto the NDAA for something that the NDAA cannot do."

Legislative outcome: House rollcall #532 on passed 270-156-15 on Oct. 1, 2015; Senate rollcall #277 passed 70-27-3 on Oct. 7, 2015; vetoed by Pres. Obama on Oct. 22, 2015; passed and signed after amendments.

Source: Congressional vote 15-HR1735 on Apr 13, 2015

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