U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) last week successfully added provisions to the proposed defense bill being offered by the U.S. Senate that would help provide troops the support, training and equipment needed to defend the nation.
“I’m proud to have secured key measures in this year’s defense bill that will better equip female soldiers, help defend and protect our critical domestic supply chains, and address the quality and needs of our National Guard bases, including Des Moines’ Iowa Air National Guard Base,” said Sen. Ernst, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
The lawmaker on July 22 secured several major priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act of 2021, S. 1520, which Sen. Ernst cosponsored on April 29 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
If enacted, the bill would professionalize how the United States military prosecutes serious crimes by moving the decision to prosecute from the chain of command to independent, trained, professional military prosecutors.
The measure also would provide for several new prevention provisions, such as more and better training for commanders and increased physical security measures, while ensuring that commanders still have the ability to provide strong leadership and ensure a successful command climate, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Ernst’s office.
“This historic reform is long overdue. Not only will our bipartisan work help ensure our service members are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, but it will help prevent these horrific abuses from happening in the first place,” said Sen. Ernst on July 22. “As a former military commander and sexual assault survivor, I am proud of our work and look forward to helping get this legislation signed into law.”
Several other key priorities offered by Sen. Ernst also were successfully included in the Senate’s NDAA, including continued development and fielding of protective body armor designed specifically for female troops; improved security and resilience of domestic supply chains in key technologies; required security assessments related to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan; allowing service members to take bereavement leave; and support for ammunition production and procurement at locations nationwide, including the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, according to the summary.