The root cause is not that we have the Second Amendment, it is that we’re not adequately addressing mental illness across the United States. We need to focus on that, and we need to focus on substance abuse. Joni Ernst More Quotes by Joni Ernst More Quotes From Joni Ernst I do believe in the right to carry, and I believe in the right to defend myself and my family -- whether it's from an intruder, or whether it's from a government, should they decide that my rights are no longer important. Joni Ernst governmentrightsbelieve I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm, so when I come to Washington, I'll know how to cut pork. Joni Ernst iowacuttingyale I have a beautiful little Smith & Wesson, 9 millimeter, and it goes with me virtually everywhere. Joni Ernst littlesbeautiful As a veteran, I believe we have a responsibility to take care of all our men and women who have served - and I will fight to fix the crisis at the Veterans Administration caused by negligent leadership in Washington. Joni Ernst fightingresponsibilitybelieve You don't need to come from wealth or privilege to make a difference. Joni Ernst making-a-differencedifferencesneeds You just need the freedom to dream big and a whole lot of hard work. Joni Ernst hard-workdreamneeds What's right for New York or California, is not necessarily right for Iowa. Joni Ernst iowacalifornianew-york In the U.S. Senate, in the short term we need to reduce the tax burden on hard working individuals, families, and small businesses. Joni Ernst small-businesshard-workneeds In the Iowa senate, I helped pass the largest tax cut in state history - returning over four billion dollars in savings and putting more money back in the pockets of hard-working Iowa families. Joni Ernst iowacuttinghard-work As a soldier and combat veteran, I believe American military forces should only be used in the defense and furtherance of our nation's vital interests. Joni Ernst militarysoldierbelieve We need to repeal and replace Obamacare. It is the largest tax in U.S. history, has proven to be a job-killer, and has driven up the cost of healthcare. Joni Ernst obamacarejobsneeds I worked the morning biscuit line at Hardee's. Joni Ernst biscuitslinesmorning Iowans are feeling the pinch of a big federal government, and elected officials like Bruce Braley keep championing the over reaching bureaucracy. Iowans know what is best for Iowa more than Washington politicians and bureaucrats do. Joni Ernst iowagovernmentfeelings I grew up working for the minimum wage at Hardee's and knows first hand how important the minimum wage is. I support a state based minimum wage so every state can set their own minimum wage based on their cost of living. Joni Ernst cost-of-livingsupporthands Healthcare costs are rising due to Obamacare. Joni Ernst obamacarerisingcost Over the longer term, we need to work toward a pro-growth tax code that is fairer and simpler than what we have now. Anything that meets those criteria is going to be better than the failing and dysfunctional tax code we have today. Joni Ernst growthtodayneeds It will take hard work, but doing nothing on Social Security, for example, simply makes sure the system will go broke. It's time to make some reforms. Joni Ernst reformhard-workexample Healthcare should be about market driven solutions, not government mandates. Joni Ernst healthcaredrivengovernment We need to balance the budget and force Washington to stop spending more than it takes in. Joni Ernst spendingbalanceneeds When we do go to combat, it should be with a defined mission and a plan for withdrawal. Joni Ernst missionswithdrawalshould
