Sen. Ernst Included In Latest Russia Ban List; Grassley Is Not

On Saturday, Russia released a list of nearly 1,000 Americans that are permanently banned from the country.

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Saturday’s updated list included people like Vice President Kamala Harris, congressional members, actors such as Morgan Freeman, and eight Iowans.

Five of the banned Iowans are part of the state’s congressional delegation; Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Rep. Ashley Hinson; Rep. Cindy Axne; Sen. Joni Ernst; Rep. Randy Feenstra.

The other three; Des Moines metro entrepreneurs and LBGTQ activist Rich Eychaner; criminal defense attorney Leon Spies; and retired district court judge Patrick Grady.

One person not on the list: Senator Chuck Grassley. In a conference call on Tuesday, reporters asked why he wasn’t singled out by Putin, something legislatures have started considering a badge of honor.

Maybe I'm not because I haven't been so prominently displayed as people have. I think that's very important to know that I've been tough on Putin, so maybe I should be on the list. I've said that either he's sick or an egomaniac or both.

Senator Ernst who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate took the ban as a sign that she is doing something right, she said in a press release.

I consider getting sanctioned by an autocratic, murderous thug a pretty clear sign that I’m doing something right. Vladimir Putin’s lawless, unprovoked, and horrific war on Ukraine will be remembered by history as a despicable and unforgiving act. Putin can put my name at the top of his list.

Grassley has openly condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine calling it “inhumane” and he has gone on the record saying Putin is mirroring the actions of Stalin in the 1930s.

I've spoken out the same way other senators have. I don't care whether I'm on the list or not, because I'm not going to go to Russia anyway. I've been to Russia three times and every time it was a pleasure to go over there and interact with them, but I wouldn't want to sit down with Putin now.

The released list comes as a response to the U.S. imposed sanctions against Russia.