Ask Joni
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions this week! Below are my most recent answers to questions Iowans asked me on social media:
Caleb from Early, Iowa – posted on Facebook:
Every time I talk to younger people that are my age about politics and what's going on with our nation they tell me things like "oh I don't keep up with stuff like that" or "that's not something that interests me." All the while I'm thinking that we are the ones that have to inherit the mess. How can we get them engaged in the process and open their eyes to what's going on?
Thank you, Caleb, this is a great question.
As President Ronald Reagan once said in a commencement address at the University of Notre Dame: "We need you. We need your youth. We need your strength. We need your idealism to help us make right that which is wrong. Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we've ever known."
I firmly believe America’s greatness comes from the people not government. And to President Reagan’s point, your generation will discover more than my generation can ever imagine. For too long, folks in Washington have had the mentality that they know best. While I have only been in Washington for a couple of months, it’s clear that Washington has a lot to learn from hardworking Iowans.
I believe that you, your friends, your family and neighbors know what is best for Iowa -- more than those in Washington. With that in mind, I launched a 99 county tour around Iowa so I can hear from students, young adults, parents, seniors, teachers, farmers, business owners and everyone in between.
It is so important to make your voice heard and to stand up for what you believe in. Tell your friends I want to hear from them too. Tell me what you want to see Washington accomplish. As you said, Caleb, your generation will have to live with the decisions made by my generation. Encourage them to speak up now! I list my 99 county tour events on my website www.Ernst.Senate.Gov, but if you can’t make it to an event, send me an email at http://www.ernst.senate.gov/content/contact-joni, or call my office. Remember, I work for you and my door is always open. Thank you for getting involved. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Deena from Western Iowa – tweeted:
@SenJoniErnst Contact the ATF and demand they reverse their decision to ban commonplace M855 and SS109 rifle ammunition.
I share your concern and am working to reverse the Obama Administration’s efforts to ban M855 ammunition most often used with AR-15 rifles. It is unclear where the Administration’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) believes it has obtained the authority to oppose or exempt particular cartridges. ATF’s most recent decision seems unfounded, as no federal statutes can interfere with the ability of law-abiding citizens to obtain ammunition commonly used for such legitimate purposes like sporting, target shooting and hunting. Our Second Amendment rights require not only access to firearms – but the bullets we use with them. If law-abiding gun owners cannot obtain rifle ammunition because government entities are standing in the way, then the Second Amendment is at risk.
Bryor from Fort Madison, Iowa – posted on Facebook:
Senator Ernst, I would like to see initiatives to bring broadband Internet to rural Iowans. I live north of Fort Madison and cannot get Internet even though I live close to 50+ homes and the Internet providers are within a couple of miles. The government needs to offer help to these companies to bring Internet to us. Without it we are left behind with the rest of the world. I would like you to sponsor a bill for this. I look forward to your response!
As I’ve mentioned, I believe that Iowans know what is best for Iowa more than those in Washington. Iowa is a rural state so access to broadband internet is very important. Rural Iowans need to have this access to expand their businesses and take advantage of the innovative technology that’s involved with agriculture. I support Governor Branstad’s proposal to expand broadband connectivity in rural Iowa, Connect Every Acre. This would encourage service providers to build networks not just at the endpoints but to rural communities in between.
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