The Sioux County Republican Central Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to censure Sen. Joni Ernst following her vote in favor of the (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act. The bill repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, forces every state to recognize whatever one other state deems marriage and puts religious liberty in peril.
According to a release from the Sioux County GOP, the (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act redefines marriage at the federal level and is not consistent with the principles and beliefs of the Iowa Republican Party platform or the Sioux County Republican Party platform.
Twenty members were present for the vote and all 20 voted in favor of censuring Ernst.
The resolution read:
The Sioux County Republican Party Central Committee formally censures Senator Joni Ernst on this day, Tuesday December 20, 2022. The resolution reads:
God-fearing people and the founders of our country, recognize that marriage was instituted by the Almighty, Triune God. Senator Joni Ernst’s vote in support of the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ (HR 8404) is in direct opposition to this God-ordained institution as well as in direct opposition to the Iowa Republican Party Platform, Section 13 under Liberty:
‘We believe that traditional, two-parent one male (XY) and one female (XX), marriage-based families are the foundation to a stable, enduring, and healthy civilization. We encourage the repeal of any laws allowing any marriage that is not between one natural man and one natural woman.’
“Nothing is more foundational to our society than marriage as instituted by God. By her actions, Senator Joni Ernst directly opposes the expressed will of God and that of her constituents and is hereby formally censured for her vote by the Sioux County Republican Party Central Committee.”
Other counties that have taken action include:
Mahaska
Pocahontas
Wright
Hancock
Ida
Des Moines
Van Buren
Guthrie
An effort to censure Ernst along with Representatives Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks by the Linn County GOP Central Committee failed earlier this week, 31-8.
