• Senator Joni Ernst received boos during a town hall over GOP Medicaid cuts.
• She defended a $700 billion spending cut bill proposed by Donald Trump.
• Ernst's comment, “we all are going to die,” drew strong reactions from the audience.
• Congressional Budget Office estimates millions could lose healthcare coverage.
• Her controversial remarks are being leveraged by Democratic leaders for political attacks.

During a town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst faced significant backlash from constituents as she defended the "Big Beautiful Bill," a $700 billion Republican spending proposal that includes substantial cuts to Medicaid. An audience member warned that “people could die” without health coverage, to which Ernst retorted, “Well, we all are going to die,” provoking audible groans and boos from the crowd, according to Salon and India Times.

Ernst emphasized that the legislation is designed to focus on “those that are most vulnerable” while claiming that the cuts would preserve the program for those who meet eligibility requirements. However, opponents argue that the proposed bill could lead to up to 8.6 million people losing healthcare over the next decade, based on estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

The town hall marked another instance of Republican officials experiencing pushback from constituents, reflecting a growing discontent toward GOP healthcare policies. The video of Ernst’s controversial remark rapidly circulated on social media, further amplifying political criticism from Democratic leaders. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, stated that Ernst's comments reveal Republican indifference towards constituents' well-being, claiming they prioritize the wealthy, according to South China Morning Post.