Senator Joni Ernst is now chair of a subcommittee that oversees U-S-D-A programs that promote renewable energy and broadband expansion. “Agriculture is the life-blood of Iowa and so this subcommittee will focus on improving quality of life for Iowa farmers and farmers across the country,” Ernst says. Ernst is a member of the Senate Ag Committee and just this week she was named chairman of the subcommitee on rural development and energy. Ernst says identifying ways to “enhance” rural life is a priority for the subcommittee and she sees former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack — who is U.S. Secretary of Agriculture — as a partner.

“I know that despite differences between our two parties, he always did work very hard for the people of Iowa, so I do look forward to having those discussions with him,” Ernst says. Ernst is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Anti-war protesters disrupted an Armed Services Committee hearing this week and Ernst says it was an unfortunate distraction from the testimony of former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, George Schultz and Madeleine Albright.

“I appreciate the fact that people have the right to protest, but we do have a sense of decorum and we do wish to hear from the guests who visit with us in the senate committees,” Ernst says. Arizona Senator John McCain is chairman of the committee and he called the protesters “low-life scum.” Ernst says those are McCain’s words, not hers, and it’s up to McCain to defend that kind of “verbiage.” Ernst also suggests the protesters might be better off if they presenting their views “in a more civil manner.” The “Code Pink” protesters confronted former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as the 91-year-old entered the room and waved handcuffs near his head as he sat down at the witness table.

(Radio Iowa)