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She had been consistent in her message throughout the
contentious forum at a high school in Parkersburg, Iowa, as she
defended the tax and immigration package that has passed the
House and is now under consideration in the Senate. Facing
several constituents concerned about cuts to Medicaid, she
defended the $700 billion in reduced spending, saying it would
keep immigrants in the U.S. illegally and those who have access
to insurance through their employers off the rolls.
Then someone in the crowd yelled that people will die without
coverage.
“People are not ... well, we all are going to die,” Ernst said,
drawing groans. “So, for heaven’s sakes. For heaven’s sakes,
folks.”
“What you don’t want to do is listen to me when I say that we
are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,” Ernst
went on. “Those that meet the eligibility requirements for
Medicaid we will protect.”
House Republicans last week muscled through the massive spending
and tax cut package, dubbed “the big, beautiful bill” at the
urging of President Donald Trump, by a single vote. It now moves
to the Senate.
Ernst made clear Friday that any measure that emerges from the
Senate will look different from the House version.
Republicans have defended the new work requirements for
able-bodied adults without dependents and stepped up eligibility
verification, saying the generated savings will sustain the
program for vulnerable populations. Democrats warn that millions
of Americans will lose coverage.
A preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget
Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with
health care by 8.6 million over the decade.
Video of Ernst's comment started making the rounds among
Democrat elected officials and candidates. Ernst is up for
reelection in 2026.
“This morning, Joni Ernst said the quiet part out loud:"
Republicans do not care "about whether their own constituents
live or die as long as the richest few get richer,” said Ken
Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, in a
statement.
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