Joni Ernst in CBS "Face the Nation" interviews during 2018

On Free Trade: Worth the pain of tariffs to get a better deal with China

SENATOR JONI ERNST: I am hopeful that we will not need another subsidy program for our farmers. Our farmers would much rather grow their goods and make sure that they are getting out to the rest of the world, absolutely. But I've done a number of farmer roundtables all across the state of Iowa. And at the last one I held, a middle-aged farmer stood up and said, "I understand why President Trump is doing this. However, what I don't understand is why someone didn't do it sooner." So they understand.

Q: The pain is tolerable for now?

ERNST: The pain is tolerable for now. I want to see these trade deals done. I'd rather see them done sooner, rather than later, but we have to get a good deal with China or it's all for naught.

On Immigration: Troops on Mexican border is ok, for logistical support

SENATOR JONI ERNST: That's up to the President and those governors that are involved with their National Guard soldiers.

Q: You are on the Armed Services Committee; you have a voice.

ERNST: If they are active duty soldiers it does actually provide them an opportunity for real-life training in their roles. Many of them, if they serve in logistics-type positions they will actually be doing those missions on the border. So it is a very good skill.

Q: They won't even have any contact with people coming across.

ERNST: Exactly, but they will be utilized in the roles like logistics. And then it gives them greater opportunity to respond quickly in those types of situations, whether they are supporting with food or body armor, whatever it might be for Border Patrol agents. It allows those border patrol agents to actually focus on the law enforcement duties.