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Iowa Senator Joni Ernst Voices Support For Pat Toomey's Re-Election

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Iowa Senator Joni Ernst voiced her support for the re-election of Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey, touting his support for veterans and his opposition to the Iranian nuclear deal.

Ernst told Dom Giordano during an interview on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT that she clearly prefers Toomey's policy positions to those of his opponent, Katie McGinty.

"What I can judge is the positions that she is taking on so many things that are harmful to our country. I can take issue with her policy. I think that's what people need to do. They need to take a good hard look at where she stands, especially if you look at the work that Pat did on opposing the nuclear deal with Iran. He was steadfast in that. But you look at where McGinty is, she supported the Iranian deal."

She praised Toomey for coming to the aid of veterans after the revelations of inadequate care at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"I greatly admire Pat Toomey and I wouldn't be on this show if I didn't firmly believe in Pat and where he goes with veterans issues. He has just been a tremendous advocate, not only for those of us who serve in the Senate that are veterans, but also the great and hard working veterans in Pennsylvania and all across the nation. He co-sponsored the Veterans Access To Care Through Choice Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014. We know it as the Choice Act, but what that bill did and when it was signed into law, it provided veterans greater flexibility in healthcare choices."

 

Ernst also reiterated her demand that leadership at the VA be replaced.

"I have called several times for the Secretary, Bob McDonald, to step down from his position. He is not adequately leading the VA. We see so many failures time and time and time again. I have spoken directly with him. He knows where I stand on this and he says it's all just politics but it's not. I have a passion for this and I don't think that wait lists are like standing in line at Disney."

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