WQAD: Sen. Ernst's First 100 Days in the U.S. Senate

"Joni Ernst has reached a major milestone in her career: the first 100 days in office. But it hasn't been easy. News Eight's John David reports on how she's trying to overcome some obstacles in Washington, D.C.... Senator Joni Ernst describes herself as a fresh face in Washington. "Oh, my goodness. Thank you Iowa!" As the nation's first female veteran to serve, her first one hundred days transition from ideas to impact. "The biggest difference is actually being here and making an impact for Iowans, making sure that we're moving America in the right direction." Augustana College ethics professor Dan Lee says, like all newcomers, Ernst is finding her way in Washington. "In the U.S. Senate, newcomers are expected to bide their time and not move too fast." "And they need help right away." She's already plowing through a 99 county tour of Iowa. It's a chance to listen and learn about the issues. "We have an opportunity now to make a difference and we need to do that." What a whirlwind in less than a year. emerging from the pack during a campaign stop in Davenport last May with Mitt Romney. "This is a person who is very different from the typical politician." To soldiering on with Senator John McCain in Wapello days before her November win. "There's just excitement across Iowa. no matter where we go, it's standing room only." "For a freshman Senator, the biggest obstacle is a familiar one here in Davenport or Washington, building consensus on controversial issues." "We look at the issues. we look at where our differences are, but then we strive to find where we can come together." She's poised for a high profile. Just the start after one hundred days in office. John David, WQAD, News Eight. Senator Ernst grabbed the spotlight early in the U.S. Senate... by delivering the Republican Response to this year's State of the Union Address." (WQAD-TV, 4/17/15)