RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, put some serious miles on the car over the last two weeks back in Iowa, making stops across the state and going from river to river on her eighth consecutive 99 County Tour.
Ernst spent the last two weeks holding multiple public town hall meetings, visiting with several Iowa small businesses, and meeting a number of farmers and agriculture workers across Iowa, reaching county number 57 of the year on Wednesday with a public town hall in Decatur County.
The Iowa senator continued to hear and answer questions directly from Iowans about the issues they care about, including how record inflation and high gas prices are impacting them, continued concerns about the supply chain and workforce challenges, and the state of America’s national security in light of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Here’s a look back at the last two weeks:
Public Town Hall Meetings
Ernst held four public town hall meetings in counties across the state. Inflation and gas prices continue to be top of mind for many Iowans who participated in the town halls. The Iowa senator also heard and answered questions from attendees about the state of America’s national security and her personal connection to the war on Ukraine.
Next stop: Hardin County.
I held a town hall meeting in Eldora and answered questions from folks about:
?? Supporting Ukraine
⛽️ E15 year-round
? My EATS Act
? WOTUS
❌ The border crisis
?? Equipping our military#99CountyTour pic.twitter.com/LCxQ6oelj0— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 12, 2022
Beautiful day in Iowa to be back on the road on the #99CountyTour! ☀️ ?
First up:
?Ringgold County for a public town hall meeting.
Great to meet with and answer questions from folks in Southwest Iowa! pic.twitter.com/ENqHeSBBhm
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 9, 2022
Small Businesses
As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, Ernst met with several small businesses across the state over the last two weeks. Some of the top concerns of the folks she met with included high inflation, continued supply chain issues, and workforce challenges. The Iowa senator also visited a woman-owned small business where she discussed her effort to expand access to capital and federal contracting opportunities to empower women in small business.
In Delaware County, I heard from #smallbiz owners in Manchester about issues they are facing due to:
? The highest inflation in four decades
? A supply chain crisis
? Challenges hiring workers
#99CountyTour pic.twitter.com/390qhS67Pl— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 12, 2022
In the Senate, I’m working to expand access to capital & fed contracting opportunities to empower our women-owned #smallbiz, just like Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing in Lee County. Thank you Jenny for the tour—I’ll continue to be your voice in Washington! #99CountyTour pic.twitter.com/6LwK6qvkwu
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 13, 2022
Farms and Agriculture
Ernst, who is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, continued to meet with and support Iowa farmers and agriculture workers on her 99 County Tour over the last two weeks. She spoke with dairy farmers about different ways Washington can support them and discussed her effort with Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to help Iowa’s independent cattle producers get the best and most competitive prices for the high-quality cattle they raise.
Got milk? ? ?
Milk Unlimited Dairy in Cass County employs 35 Iowans and milks 300 cows every hour—24 hours a day. It was great to meet with owners Kelly and Christy Cunningham and discuss the challenges they’re facing & how the federal gov't can support them. #99CountyTour pic.twitter.com/0CO8ddQvq2— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 14, 2022
Visited the Dunlap Livestock Auction in Harrison County to talk about my work with @ChuckGrassley to help Iowa’s hardworking, independent cattle producers get the best & most competitive prices for the high-quality cattle they raise. #99CountyTour pic.twitter.com/CThAMb8HJP
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 19, 2022
Each year, Ernst visits every single one of Iowa’s 99 counties on her 99 County Tour. To follow along on Ernst’s 99 County Tour for 2022, click here.
