IDP Chair Mark Smith: “Senator Ernst’s vote is one more step forward in her effort to gut coverage protections for pre-existing conditions and undo Iowa’s Medicaid expansion”
After repeatedly arguing that an election-year vacancy should be left for voters to decide, today Senator Joni Ernst hypocritically voted to advance a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court – 12 days before Election Day and after over 600,000 Iowans have already voted.
Ernst’s vote to advance Judge Barrett’s nomination neglects widespread concerns from Iowa’s medical community about her prior criticisms of the Supreme Court upholding the ACA. If confirmed, Barrett could cast the deciding vote in favor of the Ernst-backed GOP lawsuit to kick 227,000 Iowans off of health coverage and gut coverage protections for 1.3 million Iowans with pre-existing conditions. Meanwhile, Ernst has failed to push for comprehensive, urgently-needed Phase 4 COVID-19 relief – refusing to stand up to her party leaders who have shut down negotiations as Iowa’s crisis continues to worsen.
“Senator Ernst’s vote is one more step forward in her effort to gut coverage protections for pre-existing conditions and undo Iowa’s Medicaid expansion,” said Mark Smith, Iowa Democratic Party Chair. “While simultaneously refusing to pass comprehensive COVID-19 relief, Senator Ernst’s enormous disconnect with Iowans is clear. Washington has changed Senator Ernst, and instead of fighting for us, she works for Mitch McConnell and the corporate special interests funding her campaign.”