Ernst Discusses Bipartisan Work to Halt Iran’s Threat to Americans

WASHINGTON - Following Iran's assassination attempt on President Trump, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) on Bret Baier's Common Ground segment to discuss their work to halt Iranian-backed threats on American soil.

After Ernst and Hassan called on the Department of Justice to stop Iran from paying criminal organizations to carry out malign actions in the U.S., the senators started working on the upcoming DETERRENCE Act. Their bipartisan legislation would increase criminal penalties for anyone who commits or attempts to commit violent crimes in the U.S. on behalf of foreign adversaries.

Watch the full interview here.

On Putin lowering nuclear threshold:

"This is very concerning, which is why I look forward to a Trump administration. We do know that President Trump is going to be aggressive in attempting to negotiate a peace settlement, and that's what we need to get to, sooner rather than later."

"I do think that we have to be very aggressive in bringing both President Zelenskyy and President Putin together and have this negotiated. There are too many lives that have been lost, a lot of expense that has come from the U.S. taxpayers."

"I, as well, believe that Ukraine needs to come out victorious. I think that is really important, but we do need a strong personality - President Trump - that will bring both sides together."

On the DETERRENCE ACT:

"It would enhance penalties for those criminals that are engaging with foreign actors, other countries, our adversaries. There are basically actors for hire here in the United States. Any time they are targeting say, President-elect Trump, when they are targeting someone here on U.S. soil, [they receive] enhanced penalties, longer prison sentences."

"It is called the DETERRENCE Act. What we're trying to demonstrate is to our adversaries - you cannot target Americans on American soil."

On confirming President Trump's Cabinet nominees:

"There was a mandate in this last election, and President Trump will be very aggressive about the way he approaches our federal agencies. We need the folks that can go in and shake up these federal agencies."

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