Ernst Talks Iran Deal And More At Oskaloosa Town-Hall
US Senator Joni Ernst was in Oskaloosa on Saturday hosting a town-hall meeting at Smokey Row Coffee.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Iowa’s Freshman Senator Joni Ernst stopped by Smokey Row Coffee on Saturday afternoon to host a town-hall style meeting. Ernst was introduced by Iowa Senator Ken Rozenboom. Rozenboom was a colleague of Ernst when she was a member of the Iowa Senate. Rozenboom continues to serve Mahaska County residents in the Iowa Senate.
While at Smokey Row, Ernst spoke about the Iran Nuclear Deal that has created some concerns, not only with members of Congress but also Isreal and Saudi Araba. “I am very skeptical about this [deal]. What I see so far, I think it is a very bad deal,” says Ernst.
She said that instead of eliminating the nuclear threat from Iran, “I see it as providing a pathway and a timetable for nuclear armament in Iran. I’m very disappointed so far.”
The lifting of sanctions “to a known state sponsor of terrorism” is something that Ernst isn’t pleased about, and she says that there are over 50 days remaining to review the agreement, “but I’m not liking what I’m seeing so far.”
Ernst then spoke on unemployment. She said that even though unemployment numbers are good, the problem is that the labor participation rate is the lowest it’s been in 38 years and wages have stagnated. The labor force shrinkage and wage stagnation have been taking place since the ‘Great Recession’. Ernst said that solving that problem begins with reviewing rules and regulations.
“What we hear as we’re traveling across Iowa, from various employers, is that there is so many rules and regulations that they have to comply with. They are spending so much more money actually meeting those rules and regulations, when they would love to reinvest it in their companies.”
Ernst hopes that those rules and regulations can be eased up. “I think our employers would be a lot better off.”
Ernst has been an outspoken supporter of the 2nd Amendment. In light of the recent shootings and discussion about gun ownership rights, Ernst explained that her support of the 2nd Amendment hasn’t changed. Ernst said that many gun control laws are already in place, “those laws should be enforced. Strictly enforced”.
Ernst believes that some of the recent incidents can be linked to mental health issues. “That’s why I’m a huge proponent of making sure when people need access to mental health care, they get that care. I think if we saw more of that, we would have less tragedy.”
When it comes to mental health in Iowa, Ernst said she has reached out to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s staff to see “what plans are in place” and that patients are “not falling through the cracks”.
When it comes to presidential politics and Iowa maintaining its first-in-the-nation caucus status, Ernst encourages candidates from all parties to “come into the state, spend time with the voters and our caucus goers, because they are well educated on the issues of the day. I think that it’s important that they see that our voters understand what the important issues are and how we do represent a broad base of Americans.”
