Simi Valley, California — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the Republican Party must scale back a bloated government and recalibrate U.S. foreign policy, but she says the “most pressing” issue for the GOP is its stand against abortion.
Ernst spoke August 18th in California, invited by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation to define what it means to be a Republican and what principles are paramount for the party in the future. Ernst credited Donald Trump for refocusing the party and, in particular, coming up with his “drain the swamp” mantra.
Ernst says even the smallest change in the federal bureaucracy is a challenge and she criticized the Democratic Party for establishing new entitlement programs and tax credits for electric vehicles.
Ernst is urging Republicans to also push back on academics and those in the political class who she says are focusing on America’s past sins. As for the GOP’s approach to foreign policy, Ernst says chaos reigns in the world and the U.S. should pursue Reagan’s doctrine of peace through strength.
Ernst is among current and former Republican office holders who’ve been invited to speak at the Reagan Presidential Library as part of its “Time for Choosing” series. Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney was July’s keynote speaker. Arizona Senator Doug Ducey is scheduled to speak in September.
