WASHINGTION-Joni Ernst, on the verge of becoming Iowa’s first female member of Congress, held her grandmother’s Bible tightly in her right hand, smiling wide, with her left hand raised, as she took the oath of office Tuesday in the U.S. Senate chamber.
The new Sen. Ernst stood out in the official ceremony with her red suit and beaming demeanor as she shook hands with her soon-to-be comrades on Capitol Hill. She also stood out as one of 20 women in the United States Senate.
Not only is the 44 year-old the first woman to represent Iowa in the Senate, she is also the first female combat veteran to grace the Senate floor, serving in the Army National Guard. But that is not something Ernst has spent a lot of time thinking about.
“It just hit me last night,” the senator said of her groundbreaking firsts’ in a teleconference after the swearing-in ceremony.
Ernst, a conservative Republican, realized her position as a role model for younger girls in previous conversations with her daughter and granddaughter. This was not an aspect of her life that Ernst campaigned on last fall, but she expressed her gratitude for being able to represent not only the state of Iowa but all women as well.
“We have broken the glass ceiling in federal affairs,” said Ernst, encouraging women to consider higher aspirations.
In the midst of breaking gender barriers Ernst is still focused on her goals for her six-year term in the Senate. She plans on using that time to develop more programs to help military veterans, defend and protect Iowa farmers and agriculture industry and press the vast the federal government to operate more efficiently.
Ernst’s strategy includes cooperation and communication with her colleagues in Congress. She walked down the center aisle of the Senate chamber accompanies by both Tom Harkin – the Democrat she is succeeding — and senior Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican. It was a hint that Ernst believes in working together on areas of agreement despite party lines and differing opinions.
“America’s greatness comes from its people,” she said.
Vice President Joe Biden administered the official oath in the Senate, Afterward Ernst participated in the ceremonial oath with Biden presiding again, this time a little more relaxed as he joked with Ernst’s extended family gathering a photo, “I’m a Democrat, but that’s OK.” Alongside Ernst for the ceremonial oath were her husband, Gail Ernst, and daughter, Libby.
To kick start her time in office, Ernst will be starting a 99-county tour across Iowa in the coming weeks.
Ernst came to Washington after defeating Democratic rival, former Rep. Bruce Braley, in what was expected to be a close race. But Ernst pulled away from Braley closing in the weeks, winning by 8.5 percentage points. This highly-watched race launched Ernst on her path to Washington and was a major victory for Republicans in claiming the majority in the Senate.
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