Republican senator Joni Ernst faced boos and groans from constituents during a tense town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, on Friday after defending a Republican-backed spending and tax cut package, dubbed as “the big, beautiful bill” by US President Trump, which includes $700 billion in cuts, including significant reductions to Medicaid.Speaking at a high school in north-central Iowa, Ernst was responding to a constituent who warned that people could die without health coverage. “People are not… well, we all are going to die,” Ernst replied, drawing audible groans from the crowd. She added, “For heaven’s sake, folks,” and stressed that the proposal would protect “those that are most vulnerable” and eligible for Medicaid.The controversial legislation narrowly passed the House last week by a single vote and now moves to the Senate. Ernst acknowledged that the Senate version will likely differ from the House bill.Republicans argue the bill’s new work requirements and stricter eligibility checks for able-bodied adults without dependents will preserve the program for those who need it most. Democrats, however, warn that millions could lose coverage. According to a preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional budget office, the plan could leave 8.6 million people without healthcare over the next decade.Video of Ernst’s comment quickly circulated on social media, with Democratic leaders using it to attack the GOP’s stance on healthcare.“This morning, Joni Ernst said the quiet part out loud: Republicans do not care about whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few get richer,” said Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic national committee.Ernst is up for re-election in 2026.
