As GOP Delays Critical Relief, New Video Sets the Record Straight on Ernst’s Failure to Fight for Working Families During COVID-19

Today, the Iowa Democratic Party released a new video, “Debunked” – breaking down the lies in Senator Joni Ernst’s new ad trying to cover up her failed response to the health and economic crisis. The video is part of the IDP’s ElectionYearErnst.com campaign to hold Senator Ernst accountable as she makes an eleventh-hour push to rewrite her harmful record in Washington.

Claim by claim, “Debunked” strikes down Election Year Ernst’s attempt to cover up her vote to strip paid family leave from COVID-19 relief, her refusal to put Iowa workers ahead of her corporate special interest donors, and the swampy, Washington politics that Ernst has embraced since the onset of the pandemic, where she puts Mitch McConnell ahead of Iowans. 

“Senator Ernst believes she can reboot her failing campaign by trying to cover up her failures in Washington, but Iowa voters aren’t buying her lies,” said Jeremy Busch, Iowa Democratic Party spokesperson. “Nearly 120,000 Iowans are out of work and 38,000 have lost their health insurance – but the only thing that motivates Senator Ernst to act is an opportunity to protect the profits of the corporate special interests pouring millions into her campaign.”

It’s no wonder why Senator Ernst and Mitch McConnell’s allies are working in overdrive to cover up Ernst’s failed response. Not only has every public poll found Ernst trailing, but they’ve also shown Iowans holding her accountable for standing in the way of the relief they need. 

In a June PPP poll, a mere 35% of Iowans approved of Senator Ernst’s pandemic response – and a recent PPP poll showed that 73% of Iowa voters support direct funding for state and local governments, which Ernst has repeatedly criticized. Additionally, Navigator Research found that voters overwhelmingly fault Republicans for letting enhanced unemployment benefits expire without action.

See for yourself the gaping holes in Election Year Ernst’s ad rewrite:

Election Year Ernst’s False Claims Election Year Ernst’s Real Record
“Joni Ernst: Fighting for economic relief.” Despite nearly 120,000 Iowans out of work, Senator Ernst and the GOP refused to renew the enhanced unemployment benefits that expired Friday. [KTIV, 7/29/2020]

Senator Ernst voted to remove enhanced unemployment benefits from the CARES Act – before falsely claiming credit for the added support. [Bleeding Heartland, 3/29/2020]

Washington Post: “Senate GOP won’t extend pandemic food stamps but doubles ‘three-martini lunch’ deduction.” [7/28/2020]

The GOP’s proposal contains zero funding for state and local governments – critical support that Ernst has derided as a “bailout” for “bad behavior of the past.” An EPI estimate shows that inaction could lead to 57,000 Iowa job losses. 

Senator Ernst has given big corporations a free pass as they milk millions in PPP small business loans. Meanwhile, Ernst has taken over $2 million from corporate PACs.

“Making sure workers have paid sick leave.” Senator Ernst voted twice against paid sick leave in the CARES Act – voting to strip it from the bill and to block a larger expansion. [Iowa Starting Line, 3/30/2020]

After House Democrats proposed adding paid sick leave to the second relief package, Senator Ernst told constituents that she doesn’t support a federal paid sick leave policy. [Greene County Town Hall, 3/6/2020]

Senator Ernst repeatedly claimed false credit on paid family leave despite voting to remove it from the bill – even joining an official COVID-19 press conference to tout the program. [Iowa Starting Line, 3/30/2020]

After criticizing paid family leave, Senator Ernst voted twice to pass a $500 billion corporate slush fund that could have allowed CEOs to fire workers while buying back stocks and giving themselves bonuses. [Politico, 3/23/2020]

“A bipartisan fighter for Iowa.”

Ernst: “Don’t believe the partisan attacks.”

As the virus began to spread across the country, Senator Ernst told Iowans that Democrats were “trying to stir up the panic.” [Iowa Starting Line, 2/29/2020]

WHO-TV: “Senator Joni Ernst didn’t hesitate to point fingers during today’s Senate debate.” [3/24/2020]

On the same day 732 Iowans contracted COVID-19 – a record-high at the time – Senator Ernst downplayed the crisis, saying, “Iowa has fared pretty well.” [Breitbart, 4.23.2020]

Senator Ernst fully embraced partisan politics on the interim relief package, telling Fox News that “Democrats wanted to hijack it with unrelated items.” [4/16/2020]

Senator Ernst has voted with her party leaders 99% of the time. [CQ]