U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Ted Budd announced on Apr. 2 new legislation aimed at strengthening defense partnerships among the countries involved in the Abraham Accords. The proposed Abraham Accords Defense Cooperation Act would require the Department of Defense to create an initiative and funding stream for military cooperation among these nations, with a focus on deterring threats from Iran and its proxies.
The effort seeks to build regional security by uniting signatories of the Abraham Accords, which include several Arab nations, against shared threats in the Middle East. Ernst said, “The Abraham Accords delivered what Iran fears most, a united front committed to peace instead of chaos.” She added that she has worked as co-chair of the bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus to support similar initiatives such as her DEFEND Act and now this new bill “to unite our partners against Iran-backed terror.” Ernst continued, “When our partners are prepared to deter the Iranian regime and its proxies, our world and our homeland are safer.”
Budd highlighted ongoing dangers faced by U.S. allies in the region: “Many of our Arab allies in the Middle East, such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signatories of the Abraham Accords, remain in the crosshairs of Iranian missiles and drones.” He also noted that Iran continues attacks targeting both American military installations and Israel. Budd said that bolstering defense cooperation will “strengthen regional partnerships and fortify deterrence against Iranian aggression.”
Ernst is recognized for her work deepening security ties between U.S. partners in the Middle East through previous laws such as her DEFEND Act—establishing air and missile defense systems—and other acts focusing on maritime strategy, advanced technology networks for cyber defense, operational coordination between armed forces, and satellite security.
According to her official website, Ernst’s office assists Iowans with federal agency matters including Social Security benefits, veterans affairs, immigration issues, Medicare inquiries, and military-related concerns. She served over 23 years in the Iowa Army National Guard—achieving lieutenant colonel rank—and commanded troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom according to official records. Raised on a family farm in Montgomery County where values like hard work were emphasized according to her biography, Ernst became Iowa’s first woman elected to federal office when she joined Congress according to official information. She holds degrees from Iowa State University (bachelor’s) and Columbus State University (master’s) as reported by her office.
As a member of multiple Senate committees who ran on fiscal responsibility policies—and as America’s first female combat veteran elected senator—Ernst brings extensive experience from more than two decades serving in uniform according to official sources.
