• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Iraq vet, state senator, urges action against military imposters (audio)

Iraq vet, state senator, urges action against military imposters (audio)

March 16, 2011 By O. Kay Henderson

A rookie in the Iowa senate who’s an Iraq War veteran wants quicker action on a bill that would make it a crime to lie about receiving a medal from the military.

Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, was elected to the state senate in a special election in January. She served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 as part of a National Guard unit.

“We are calling this the ‘Stolen Valor Act’ because that is exactly what we are attempting to stop — the theft of honor earned in war time by everyday Iowans who went above and beyond the call of duty,” Ernst said Wednesday morning during a speech on the Senate floor. 

A similar law at the federal law has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal court and the Democratic leader of the Iowa Senate is asking backers of a similar law at the state level to see if they can make changes in the bill’s wording to try to ensure it wouldn’t face a similar fate.

“I understand that some of my colleagues from across the aisle are concerned that this act would infringe upon the right to free speech. I cannot begin to comprehend your hesitation in this very specific instance,” Ernst said. “If I put on the uniform of an officer of the law and attempt to pass myself off as such, would I be guilty of impersonating a peace officer or would I be exercising my right to free speech?”

Ernst went one step further, accusing those who’d tabled the bill for a rewrite of being cowards. “And I pray my colleagues on the other side of the aisle search deep within them and find the intestinal fortitude to demand that this bill come to the floor of the Senate for consideration,” Ernst said to conclude her five minute speech.

Listen to ErnstSpeech

Senate leaders suggest Ernst might have checked with them before making her comments, as they still plan to bring the bill up for a vote once the rewrite is complete.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Military, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Democratic Party, Iowa National Guard, Legislature, Republican Party

Featured Stories

Grundy Center man sentenced to life for killing State Trooper

Jodi Husientruit remembered 27 years after she disappeared

Iowa Supreme Court rules in Mahaska-Marion County regional airport dispute

Pheasant harvest and hunter numbers both up this year

Iowa Supreme Court overturns ruling creating constitutional abortion right

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/27/22

AJ Green signs with Milwaukee

Iowa to host Georgia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Iowa State adds a defensive back

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/20/22

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC