Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) faced backlash and mockery after her dismissive response to concerns about GOP legislation that includes significant cuts to Medicaid and food assistance. At a town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, a woman in the crowd shouted, “People will die,” to which Ernst replied, “People are not ― well, we all are going to die. So, for heaven’s sakes, folks.”
Ernst attempted to address the controversy in a video posted to her Instagram Story, where she initially seemed to offer a genuine apology. However, it quickly became apparent that her apology was insincere. She stated, “And I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this earth. So I apologize. And I’m really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.”
In a follow-up video, Ernst made a pitch for Christianity, urging those who seek eternal life to embrace Jesus Christ. Interestingly, both videos were filmed in a cemetery.
The non-apology went viral, with critics noting that Ernst had only made the situation worse. The Republican legislation in question includes massive cuts to federal health and food programs, potentially leaving millions of Americans without access to health insurance. These cuts are intended to offset the bill’s significant tax cuts, which primarily benefit higher-income individuals.
