The annual State of the Union address last night offered a national spotlight for Iowa’s junior senator.
Republican Joni Ernst, of Red Oak, offered her party’s response to President Obama’s address, taking a shot at Washington insiders and the current administration.
“Americans have been hurting, but when we demanded solutions, too often Washington responded with the same stale mindset that led to failed policies like Obamacare,” Ernst said. “It’s a mindset that gave us political talking points, not serious solutions.”
But Ernst also hit upon issues where Democrats and Republicans might find some common ground, such as protecting the country from cyberattacks and closing loopholes in the tax code.
“Let’s simplify America’s outdated and loophole-ridden tax code,” she said. “Republicans think tax filing should be easier for you, not just the well-connected. So let’s iron out loopholes to lower rates — and create jobs, not pay for more government spending.”
But Ernst also pointed to issues where the two parties remain deeply divided—such as the proposed Keystone pipeline.
By selecting Ernst to give the response, the Republican party has offered the country an introduction to the freshman senator.
