Joni Ernst Says Hillary Clinton Isn't Doing Enough On Women's Issues

Joni Ernst Says Hillary Clinton Isn't Doing Enough On Women's Issues
|

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) slammed former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton on on her stance on women's issues.

During the 2014 midterm elections, Clinton campaigned for Ernst’s Democratic opponent, former Rep. Bruce Braley, and criticized Ernst for not doing enough to stand up for women.

"It's not enough to be a woman. You have to be committed to expand rights and opportunities for women," Clinton said in November as she stumped for Braley.

Over the weekend, Ernst hosted her first “Roast and Ride” event in Iowa that was attended by several GOP presidential hopefuls. During an interview with CNN, the freshman senator essentially turned Clinton’s previous comments against her.

"I would say Hillary, it's not enough to be a woman. You have to care about women's issues," Ernst said."And women's issues here in Iowa are that we have a strong economy; we have jobs that our sons and daughters can go off to someday; we have a great educational system. And women want strong national defense. We want to know that our families are going to be safe."

The Washington Post reports that more than 60 percent of Clinton’s donors have been women so far. Over the years, Clinton has voiced her commitment to advancing women’s and girls rights around the world.

Watch Ernst’s comment above.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Declared 2016 Presidential Candidates
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) -- Announced March 23, 2015(01 of20)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), his wife Heidi and their two daughters wave on stage after he announced his campaign for president, Monday, March 23, 2015 at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va. Cruz, who announced his candidacy on Twitter in the early morning hours, was the first major candidate to officially enter 2016 race for president. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) -- Announced April 7, 2015(02 of20)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) announces the start of his presidential campaign, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. Paul launched his 2016 presidential campaign Tuesday with a combative message against both Washington and his fellow Republicans, declaring that "we have come to take our country back." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton -- Announced April 12, 2015(03 of20)
Open Image Modal
Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Sectetary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to employees of Whitney Brothers, an educational furniture manufacturer, at a round table discussion on April 20, 2015 in Keene, New Hampshire. This marked Clinton's first major political event in New Hampshire after announcing her campaign for president a little over a week before. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) -- Announced April 13, 2015(04 of20)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) smiles as he speaks to supporters as he announces that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination, during a rally at the Freedom Tower, Monday, April 13, 2015, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) -- Announced April 30, 2015(05 of20)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks to the media about his agenda in running for president, Thursday, April 30, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ben Carson -- Announced May 4, 2015(06 of20)
Open Image Modal
Ben Carson announces his candidacy for president during an official announcement in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2015. Carson, 63, a retired neurosurgeon, begins the Republican primary as an underdog in a campaign expected to feature several seasoned politicians. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Carly Fiorina -- Announced May 4, 2015(07 of20)
Open Image Modal
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom 15th Annual Spring Kick Off, in Waukee, Iowa, Saturday, April 25, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) -- Announced May 5, 2015(08 of20)
Open Image Modal
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee salutes supporters in Hope, Ark., after announcing Tuesday, May 5, 2015, that he is seeking the Republican nomination in the race for president. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) -- Announced May 27, 2015(09 of20)
Open Image Modal
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential race on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 in Cabot, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) -- Announced May 28, 2015(10 of20)
Open Image Modal
Former New York Gov. George Pataki announces his plans to seek the Republican nomination for president, Thursday, May 28, 2015, at the historic town hall in Exeter, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) -- Announced May 30, 2015(11 of20)
Open Image Modal
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks during an event to announce his candidacy for a presidential campaign May 30, 2015 at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland. O'Malley was the third Democrat, after former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), to throw his hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) -- Announced June 1, 2015(12 of20)
Open Image Modal
CENTRAL, SOUTH CAROLINA - JUNE 1: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) gives a speech where he announced his candidacy for United States President during an outdoor event on June 1, 2015 in Central, South Carolina. Graham is the ninth Republican to join the race for president in 2016. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) (credit:Jessica McGowan via Getty Images)
Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (D) -- Announced June 3, 2015(13 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) -- Announced June 4, 2015(14 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Joe Raedle via Getty Images)
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) -- Announced June 15, 2015(15 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Darren McCollester via Getty Images)
Business Mogul Donald Trump (R) -- Announced June 16, 2015(16 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Christopher Gregory via Getty Images)
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) -- Announced June 24, 2015(17 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Darren McCollester via Getty Images)
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) -- Announced June 30, 2015(18 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) -- Announced July 2, 2015(19 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) -- Announced July 13, 2015(20 of20)
Open Image Modal
(credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)