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USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
What's next for the Iowan who shouted 'people will die' at Joni Ernst over Medicaid cuts
Hear this story India May, a 33-year-old Democrat from Charles City, is running for the Iowa House after sparking a viral moment at U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's town hall. May interrupted Ernst's answer on Medicaid cuts to shout, "people will die!" Ernst responded by saying, "people are not — well, we all are going to die." The Iowan who became part of a viral moment by recently shouting at U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst that "people will die" because of proposed Medicaid cuts is a Democrat who is using the moment to launch a campaign for the Iowa House. India May, a 33-year-old from Charles City, drove to Parkersburg on May 30 to attend Ernst's town hall. As Ernst was answering a question about Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump's tax cut bill, May said she "got a little worked up." She shouted at Ernst, "People will die!" Ernst's response was, "People will not — well, we all are going to die. For heaven's sakes, folks." It was a moment that generated national attention and criticism for Ernst, a second-term Republican who is up for reelection in 2026. "It wasn't the only egregious thing that she said during her town hall," May told the Register, "so I wasn't really shocked, but I was sort of disappointed." Who is India May? In the wake of the town hall, May capitalized on the resulting attention by launching her campaign for the Iowa House of Representatives in 2026. May is the director of the Ionia Public Library and is a registered nurse and a death investigator for Chickasaw County. She first moved to northeast Iowa four years ago from Kansas. She is running for Iowa House District 58, which includes Chickasaw County and parts of Floyd and Bremer counties. The district is represented by Rep. Charley Thomson, R-Charles City, who was first elected in 2022 and is serving his second term. What does India May want to accomplish in the Iowa House? May said she first got involved in Iowa politics earlier this year when she attended a town hall held by the state legislators in her area, including Thomson. In part, May said she went to oppose a bill that would deny state funding to libraries that are members of the American Library Association and Iowa Library Association, and another that would remove an exemption in Iowa's obscenity law that shields libraries and educational institutions. Neither bill ultimately passed. "I'm a nurse and a librarian, and I went to my first town hall this year to advocate for libraries and realized that there were a lot more pieces of legislation that were harmful on the Iowa level that I didn't even hear about until it was too late," she said. As a nurse, May said she has firsthand experience with some of the states' health care problems. "We have struggles with mental health care," she said. "We are the worst in the United States for mental health care. Only one-third of our counties in Iowa have access to a labor and delivery unit for mothers and babies, and these should be seen as crises." She said she wants to stand up for "these programs that are just being gutted that we really need to protect." "That's my goal is to protect Medicaid, Medicare, the VA is a huge one, plus SNAP benefits for all of the people who need a safety net and a leg up," she said. Will India May keep attending Iowa town halls? Aside from Ernst's town hall this year, May has also attended a town hall for U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, which she livestreamed, and she tried to attend an event held by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, but wasn't able to get in because the venue was full. She says she plans to keep showing up. "Absolutely," she said. "I'm not afraid. I'm not shy. It's OK, if you want to hurt my feelings I'll stand right back and show up. We need to be heard." What does Sen. Joni Ernst say about Medicaid cuts? At the Parkersburg town hall, Ernst followed up her comments by saying said the goal of the tax cut bill is to make sure that people who are not eligible for Medicaid benefits don't receive them. "What you don't want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable," Ernst said. "Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect. We will protect them. Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa. If you don't want to listen, that's fine." Later that day she blamed "hysteria that's out there coming from the left" for the response to her initial comments. The next day, Ernst posted a sarcastic apology video on her Instagram story. "I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth," she posted. "So, I apologize. And I'm really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well. "But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior, Jesus Christ." Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@ or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to support rural grocers and local food advances from House
Produce at a grocery store. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A bill to create grocery reinvestment and local food processing grant programs advanced Thursday from the Iowa House of Representatives. House File 1032 aims to help rural areas of the state retain grocery stores and expand local food systems with the goal of preventing rural food deserts. Rep. Shannon Latham, R-Sheffield, said rural grocery stores are often just 'one freezer breakdown or one cooler breakdown away from having to close their doors.' 'This bill can help bridge the gap between local producers, processors and consumers,' Latham said. Through the grocery reinvestment program, existing or new grocery stores could apply for funds to expand capacity, upgrade utilities, purchase equipment or technology and cover professional costs. Recipients must provide matching funds and financial assistance could not exceed $100,000. Grocery chains with 10 or more stores would not be eligible. The bill also creates a program for local food processing grants that would expand the availability, access, efficiency and capacity of local food processing in a community. The local food processing grant program would have $100,000, or 10% of the total allocated fund, annually to award to eligible local processing projects that source goods from more than one Iowa farm. Earlier versions of the bill, House File 59, and House File 550, included an appropriation of $2 million, from the general fund, to the programs. This section was not in the version of the bill that passed on the floor. Advocates of the bill said they have been told by lawmakers that an appropriation is expected, though it likely won't be the full amount from the initial bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill had three proposed amendments, the first of which was introduced by Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, to amend the definition of a rural grocery store. 'The intent of this bill is to make sure that our rural areas, that are more prone to be food desert areas… are able to take advantage of this program,' Harris said. The amendment, which was adopted, expands the definition of an eligible rural grocery store to a business where 50% of the retail space, or 30% of revenue, relate to general line food retail. Harris said this would account for grocery stores that share space with other businesses, like a fuel stop or a diner, as is common in rural towns. The second amendment, brought forth by Rep. J.D. Scholten, D-Sioux City, did not pass, but would have addressed the 'real problem' of price discrimination by distributors who favor corporate stores. 'For decades, we've had out-of-state corporations undercut local grocers — that's the problem,' Scholten said. Scholten said it would stop suppliers from giving preferential pricing to established corporate stores over local grocers. 'This will allow your local grocer to play on an even field,' Scholten said. Latham recommended a 'no' vote on the amendment because she did not have an opportunity to speak with the office of the attorney general or other noted offices in the amendment. The amendment failed 58-31. The final amendment, brought forth by Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, moved the local processing element of the bill under the purview of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, instead of Iowa Economic Development Authority, where the rest of the program is managed. The amendment would also prioritize funding for local facilities that process goods from three or more Iowa farms, participate in the Choose Iowa program or sell to a rural grocery store. Rep. Ken Croken, D-Davenport, said all of the amendments made the 'good bill better and better.' HF 1032 passed with no dissenting votes and moves to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Senate advances its version of grain indemnity updates
Grain bins on a farm near Prairie City, Iowa. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa senators voted Monday to increase the floor and ceiling of the fund that pays Iowa farmers in the event that their grain buyer goes broke. Sen. Mike Zimmer, D-DeWitt, called the bill a 'much needed improvement' to the current grain indemnity policy. 'What makes me most anxious about it is that with every day tariffs coming on, every day our markets are being closed for our farmers and their commodities,' Zimmer said. 'The ability for our grain elevators to store this grain while they continue to look for other markets is very, very important.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Senate File 608 would increase the minimum of the grain indemnity fund to $5 million and the maximum to $12 million. This is an increase from the current parameters, which are set at $3 million and $8 million, though it is not as great an increase as a bill proposed in the Iowa House of Representatives. The House bill would increase the fund's range to $8 million and $16 million. SF 608 would also include 'grain purchased under credit-sale contract' under the definition of 'purchased grain' meaning grain purchased on a credit sale would be eligible for the same indemnity protections. The House version of the bill would also include credit-sale contracts, but would reimburse those contracts at a rate of 70% of the grain purchased. Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen, R-Walcott, added a minor clarifying amendment to the bill, which passed. The bill advances after a vote of 39-8. House File 508 has yet to be debated on the House floor. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa Senate subcommittee passes bill to set general education requirements at state universities
An Iowa Senate subcommittee passed a bill Wednesday that would set general education requirements for public universities. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Despite concerns about vague language and potential impacts reaching beyond targets of the bill, an Iowa Senate subcommittee on Wednesday advanced legislation to establish statewide general education requirements for public universities. House File 401, which passed out of the Iowa House of Representatives in mid-March, would require state universities to develop new general education standards for students, requiring study in English, math and statistics, natural and social sciences, the humanities, western and American heritage. According to the legislation, these courses cannot 'distort significant historical events or include any curriculum or other material that teaches identity politics or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States of America or the state of Iowa.' However, language directly after this section states course instructors' academic freedoms and the free discussion of ideas in class will not be limited. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy at One Iowa, asked the subcommittee during public comment to strike the section of the bill including 'identity politics,' due to the lack of a definition of the term and its vagueness. Under his interpretation of the bill language, Crow said instructors would not be able to teach students about the civil rights and women's liberation movements or the Stonewall uprising. 'I understand that a lot of this leaves room for interpretation, and maybe folks don't agree with my interpretation, but that's kind of my point,' Crow said. 'My interpretation is just as valid as yours. Since there's no specificity, I don't think that's a positive thing for educational institutions.' Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, agreed with Crow's comments and added that with the current language stating instruction cannot be based on ideas that systemic oppression is inherent to U.S. institutions, teachers would also be prohibited from teaching about slavery or the time when women could not vote. 'The hypocrisy of this bill is blatant,' Quirmbach said. These two sentences are side by side … you have freedom of speech, you have academic freedom to talk about anything you want, as long as you don't talk about things we don't want you to talk about.' Subcommittee chair Sen. Jeff Taylor, R-Sioux Center, said he doesn't see anything in the legislation that would stop the teaching of the facts of U.S. history, including slavery and segregation. Since the bill puts its restrictions in the present tense, he said it only prohibits teaching the idea that systemic oppression is still inherent to U.S. institutions. He concurred that the term 'identity politics' should either be defined or removed from the bill, since it is broad. 'I know what it is, I know when I see it, but that's different than putting it into Iowa code and specifying what it is,' Taylor said. 'I think we have to have better guidance for the institutions.' Representatives of community colleges and the Iowa Board of Regents shared concerns during the meeting that articulation agreements between colleges and universities would need to be reworked, as new standards would change what courses community colleges need to offer to ensure students are completing their general education before going to a four-year school. Community Colleges for Iowa is registered as unopposed to the bill, and Iowa Board of Regents State Relations Officer Jillian Carlson said the board has changed its stance from 'undecided' to 'in favor,' as the House took many of the board's suggestions in refining the bill. Another concern Carlson reiterated from previous meetings was the different definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion listed in different pieces of legislation. Carlson asked for clarity on the issue. Taylor said he understood the articulation agreements would need work if the legislation passes, which could pose problems, adding that he appreciated the addition of American and western history as general education requirements. He and Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, signed the bill to move it to the full Iowa Senate Education Committee. 'It's possible that the bill may need to be tweaked a little bit before it reaches the floor, but I would like to see the bill continue to move forward,' Taylor said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House advances bill to change school nutrition standards
The Iowa House of Representatives voted to modify school nutrition standards. (Photo by Hakim Fobia/USDA) A bill passed the Iowa House Wednesday that would require schools to forgo federal nutrition standards to instead prioritize Iowa-specific guidelines. House Democrats, who opposed the bill, said in floor debate it makes Iowa students 'guinea pigs' for unproven nutrition practices, while failing to address the number of students in the state who can't afford lunch. House File 851 would have the Iowa Department of Education apply for a waiver from federal nutrition guidelines to exempt Iowa school districts from grain and produce variation requirements and sodium limits in favor of nutritional standards that 'align with Iowa's dietary recommendations or cultural food practices.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Supporters of the bill said federal nutrition guidelines are 'out of date.' Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, critiqued the past administration's nutrition decisions and implementation of initiatives like 'meatless Mondays.' 'We're not making the kids of Iowa guinea pigs; D.C. has been making the kids of Iowa guinea pigs,' Wulf said. 'Nobody knows nutrition and food better than us here. We're the bread basket of America.' Wulf said the bill puts 'common sense nutrition knowledge' in place. 'Our kids are obviously not getting healthier in the past few years, so it's time to do something drastically different,' he said. Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, said the bill tries to 'redefine' local food by prioritizing 'multinational corporations.' 'This bill is not about supporting Iowa's small and independent farmers,' Levin said. 'Instead, it serves the interests of powerful industry players, which are using this legislation to increase sales under the guise of promoting local agriculture, while actually perverting that definition.' Iowa lawmakers move to prioritize corn, pork and dairy in school lunches The bill notes specifically that Iowa students would be 'better served' by regional nutrition guidelines, because federal guidelines do not 'adequately address' Iowa's 'unique regional food sources' like corn, pork and dairy. The bill would also prioritize animal-based proteins and dairy ahead of fruits and vegetables, which Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, said is 'flipping this evidence-based food pyramid on its head.' 'I'm very proud Iowan, but I believe that we should benefit from the science, the medical expertise, that has been gained over the decades of national and international studies as to what is the healthiest diet for kids, and not just give that all up for the sake of helping out part of the food industry,' Baeth, a physician, said. Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids, said he worried the waiver would jeopardize federal funding for schools. Scheetz cited part of federal code that states the U.S. secretary of agriculture cannot grant a waiver if it relates to 'the nutritional content of meals served.' Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Fairfield, said the bill would benefit school nutrition staff who he said are 'very frustrated' at having to 'conform every single thing on their school menu to the whims of the bureaucracy.' Shipley said the bill allows Iowans to step out from the 'federal bureaucrats' that hold tax money 'hostage.' 'The USDA is a big problem when it comes to school nutrition,' Shipley said. 'And yeah, we appreciate their money, but the rules just don't make sense, and they're out of date and they're obsolete … The people of Iowa deserve to set our own nutritional guidelines.' Scheetz said it was 'fundamentally wrong' to risk losing that funding for school lunches when many students cannot afford to eat lunch. 'If we want to have the discussion about school lunches in our state, let's start by feeding our kids first,' Scheetz said. Scheetz introduced two amendments to the bill, which were defeated. One amendment would have conditioned the bill's implementation until Iowa had universal free lunch for its students. 'I think it's critically important that we first ensure that every kid in this state will be eating a lunch before we start messing with what's inside of it,' Scheetz said. The other amendment called for a $3 million appropriation to fund a purchasing program for schools and food banks to buy from Iowa producers via the Choose Iowa program. Choose Iowa, headed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, has a pilot program with this purpose underway, but the amendment would have significantly grown the local food purchasing program. Scheetz said it was especially important following an announcement in March that canceled the federal Local Food for Schools program, from which Iowa schools and food banks would have received an estimated $11.3 million over the next three years. Wulf proposed an amendment to delay implementation of the nutrition guidelines until July 2026, which was adopted. The bill passed with the one amendment on a vote of 60-36. The Senate version of the bill has not yet been debated. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
