Overview

• Sen. Joni Ernst faced boos at a Friday town hall in Butler, Iowa, after responding to constituent warnings that Medicaid cuts could cause deaths by saying “Well, we all are going to die.”
• Clips of her remark went viral and prompted criticism from progressive activists and Democratic groups including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Protect Our Care.
• Ernst defended the House-passed budget reconciliation package that would cut $800 billion from Medicaid and SNAP and pave the way for an additional $500 billion in Medicaid reductions.
• She argued the reforms would shield eligible Iowans by stopping overpayments and removing benefits from those deemed ineligible, including undocumented immigrants.
• Ernst’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the backlash over her comments.