Sioux Center, Iowa — After her recent “yes” vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, Local Republican committees in several Iowa counties have voted to censure U.S. Senator Joni Ernst for her vote to have the federal government recognize same-sex marriages. The latest Republican Committee to do so is the Sioux County Republican Party Central Committee.
They tell us that they met on Tuesday evening to vote on new members as well as to take up a proposed resolution to censure Ernst over her recent vote in favor of the act. The Sioux County Republicans say that the act “redefines marriage at the federal level, which is not consistent with the principles and beliefs of the Iowa Republican and Sioux County Republican Party Platforms.” They unanimously passed the censure resolution. Twenty members were present for the vote. Howard Vlieger of Maurice introduced the resolution.
The resolution reads as follows:
“The Sioux County Republican Party Central Committee formally censures Senator Joni Ernst on this day, Tuesday December 20, 2022. The resolution reads: God fearing people and the founders of our country, recognize that marriage was instituted by the Almighty, Triune God. Senator Joni Ernst’s vote in support of the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ (HR 8404) is in direct opposition to this God ordained institution as well as in direct opposition to the Iowa Republican Party Platform, Section 13 under Liberty: ‘We believe that traditional, two-parent one male (XY) and one female (XX), marriage-based families are the foundation to a stable, enduring, and healthy civilization. We encourage the repeal of any laws allowing any marriage that is not between one natural man and one natural woman.’ “Nothing is more foundational to our society than marriage as instituted by God. By her actions, Senator Joni Ernst directly opposes the expressed will of God and that of her constituents and is hereby formally censured for her vote by the Sioux County Republican Party Central Committee.”
Responding to earlier censures, Ernst has said, she believes the bill “..protects religious freedoms and it simply maintains the status quo in Iowa.” During a conference call with Iowa reporters, Ernst said the bill codified exemptions for religious institutions that do not wish to recognize same-sex unions.
