U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) during a media phone call said that she hopes that President Barack Obama will take in all of Iowa’s recent accomplishments when he visits Cedar Falls, IA today.
“I am thrilled that the President is taking the time to visit Iowa and I hope that he takes the opportunity during this visit to see first hand all of the wonder things that Iowa is doing right,” Ernst said noting Iowa’s unemployment rate which is the lowest in Iowa history.
“I hope that he sees that the Iowa way can and should serve as a road map here in Washington, DC. That road map that we created in Iowa was started with lower taxes for hard working families, reducing burdensome government regulations and of course balancing the budget,” she stated. “I do hope the President takes note of those things while he is there. We have wonderful hardworking Iowans and they are moving Iowa in the right direction.”
Ernst said that she has felt welcomed to the U.S. Senate and that there hasn’t been anything that has “taken her off guard” so far. She said it was a privilege and honor to be able to sit in the Senate President’s chair and preside over the U.S. Senate during debate a couple of hours earlier this week.
She sees unlimited potential to what can be accomplished in Washington.
“There really isn’t a limit to what we can get accomplished when we are working together. We are working to find solutions to the many problems that we are facing, instead of resorting to the old politics as usual that really so many Americans have come to expect from Washington, DC. In the past number of years Washington has been really ineffective and I’m really finding that we can find solutions,” Ernst stated.
One of the bipartisan initiatives she is currently working on is legislation that she co-sponsored for the Keystone XL pipeline. President Obama has threatened to veto that legislation, but Ernst said they don’t quite have a veto proof majority on that bill yet, but the Senate is working toward the 67 votes needed.
Ernst said there were other areas where she has seen some common ground with Democrats.
“There are a number of issues when it especially when it comes to the medical device tax. Tax reform is one we do believe can be worked on between the different conferences. It is going to be a heavy lift, and it may take a little bit more time, but it is something we have found some interest coming out of the other conference as well so we will work hard on those issues,” Ernst told Caffeinated Thoughts. “One of the areas where I have seen a lot of cooperation is on the Armed services Committee too which I am thrilled to see because we do, at least those members serving on the Armed Services Committee, we do believe we have to have a strong national defense. So maintaining a strong force is important and making sure they are there and ready to mobilize in a moment’s notice is important too.”
Ernst announced she will launch her first 99-county tour of Iowa as U.S. Senator this Saturday, January 17, 2015 in Red Oak, IA at the Montgomery County Courthouse from 1:30p-2:30p.
