Joni Ernst on Government Reform

Against bill requiring more disclosure of political funders

Joni Ernst: Unclear. Voted against Democratic bill requiring increased disclosure of political funders.

Theresa Greenfield: Yes. Get rid of "secret, unlimited cash flooding our elections through dark money groups."

Go back to drawing board to keep Post Office going

Ernst: Well, they have to pre-fund their pensions --

Q: So they shouldn't have to do that?

Ernst: This is something that we should look at. So that is really contributing to a lot of their struggles right now. So I do think we have to go back to the drawing board, we do have to have a plan out there. Absolutely we need to make sure that our Post Office stays in existence. They are so important to the folks like me that live in the rural areas.

Photo ID for voting

Ernst: Strongly Disagree

AdWatch: I grew up castrating hogs; I know how to cut pork

Joni (in farm gear on a hog farm): "I'm Joni Ernst. I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm, so when I get to Washington, I'll know how to cut pork."

(NARRATOR AND TEXT): "Joni Ernst. Mother. Soldier. Conservative."

Joni: "My parents taught us to live within our means. It's time to force Washington to do the same. To cut wasteful spending; repeal ObamaCare; and balance the budget. I'm Joni Ernst and I approve this message because Washington is full of big spenders; let's make 'em squeal!"

(Fade to black whiles hogs squeal).

Roll back burdensome regulations

Strict Constitutionalist, according to CC survey.

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Appointing Judges Who Will Adhere to a Strict Interpretation of the Constitution?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.

President Trump not guilty of inciting insurrection.

GovTrack.us summary of H.Res.24: Article of Impeachment Against Former President Donald John Trump:

The House impeached President Trump for the second time, charging him with incitement of insurrection. The impeachment resolution accused the President of inciting the violent riot that occurred on January 6, when his supporters invaded the United States Capitol injuring and killing Capitol Police and endangering the safety of members of Congress. It cites statements from President Trump to the rioters such as `if you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country anymore,` as well as persistent lies that he won the 2020 Presidential election.

Legislative Outcome:

Bill introduced Jan 11, 2021, with 217 co-sponsors; House rollcall vote #117 passed 232-197-4 on Jan. 13th (a YES vote in the House was to impeach President Trump for inciting insurrection); Senate rollcall vote #59 rejected 57-43-0 on Feb. 13th (2/3 required in Senate to pass; a YES vote in the Senate would have found President Trump guilty, but since he had already left office at that time, a guilty verdict would have barred Trump from running for President in the future)

Voted NO on two articles of impeachment against Trump.

RESOLUTION: Impeaching Donald Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors.

ARTICLE I: ABUSE OF POWER: Using the powers of his high office, Pres. Trump solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 US Presidential election. He did so through a course of conduct that included
1. Pres. Trump--acting both directly and through his agents--corruptly solicited the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into a political opponent, former Vice President Joseph Biden; and a discredited theory promoted by Russia alleging that Ukraine--rather than Russia--interfered in the 2016 US Presidential election.
2. With the same corrupt motives, Pres. Trump conditioned two official acts on the public announcements that he had requested: (A) the release of $391 million that Congress had appropriated for the purpose of providing vital military and security assistance to Ukraine to oppose Russian aggression; and (B) a head of state meeting at the White House, which the President of Ukraine sought.
3. Faced with the public revelation of his actions, Pres. Trump ultimately released the [funds] to the Government of Ukraine, but has persisted in openly soliciting Ukraine to undertake investigations for his personal political benefit.

ARTICLE II: OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS:
1. Pres. Trump defied a lawful subpoena by withholding the production of documents sought [by Congress];
2. defied lawful subpoenas [for] the production of documents and records;
3. and directed current and former Executive Branch officials not to cooperate with the Committees.