Joni Ernst on Civil Rights

Government shouldn't redefine marriage

Ernst: Strongly Agree

Federal ban ok, but leave same-sex marriage to states

During Thursday's Republican debate, the candidates vying for the GOP nomination were asked for their take on same-sex marriage. "I do believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, and I also believe that this is a state's right. And I have a record of this here in the state of Iowa," she said. "It is up to the people to make that decision, so allow the states to make that decision."

Ernst noted her work on a bill in the Iowa state Senate authorizing a vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state. Ernst was one of the bill's co-sponsors. But despite her support for the right of the people "to make that decision," she said she would back a federal constitutional amendment barring gays and lesbians from getting married. "If it would come up at the federal level, I would support it," she said.

Endorsed by RightNOW Women PAC to escape "war on women"

Republicans of all stripes have been working to attract more women to their ranks and escape the "war on women" narrative that Democrats successfully used against them in 2012.

Marriage is a religious institution: one man and one woman