By Maria Curi
Despite their political differences, members of the Iowa congressional delegation agree President-elect Donald Trump’s tone should be one of hope.
On the day of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, differences on how to tackle policy issues persist. But at a time when, according to the Pew Research Center, political partisan animosity is higher than at any point in the last two decades, Iowa’s members of Congress said they don’t know what to expect from Trump and hope he sets a tone of unification.
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said Trump has generally been hard to anticipate so far, but he hopes Trump speaks broadly and reminds Americans that he is the president for all people.
“I hope there are significant messages about healing up the divides between race, history, sexual orientation, and the full list of grievances Americans have,” King said. “I want to hear a healing message — not a divisive one but a united one.”
In a prepared statement from Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office, Grassley said, “I hope to hear a message from President Trump that reassures the American people, especially those who have felt forgotten by Washington.”
Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, said that if Trump sets the right tone in his inauguration speech and is consistent throughout his presidency, he knows he and others would be willing to work with him.
“I think that every day when we get up in the morning, we’re not sure what his [Trump’s] tone will be or what he’ll say,” Loebsack said. “I’m hoping, but I have no expectations that he will have a more cooperative and a less defensive tone.”
In a prepared statement from Sen. Joni Ernst’s office, Ernst said, “My hope is that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will listen to the president-elect’s address with an open mind and resolve to find ways to work together to address the many issues facing our country.”
Despite the deire for unity, 60 Democrats and counting will not be expected to attend Trump’s inauguration and issues such as the Affordable Care Act remain contentious.
“One hundred percent rip it out by the roots,” King said about the Affordable Care Act. “Eliminate all of the rules from Obamacare so we can have freedom to choose our health care.”
Loebsack, who will attend the inauguration, said “What I will make sure of when I’m there is that whoever talks to me will understand that I will be holding this president accountable if he doesn’t change his tone. I will not stand for privatizing Social Security or Medicare or slashing Medicaid, and I will push for making the Affordable Care Act better, not repealing it and protecting the provisions in there that have helped Iowans.”
Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, said it is the Democrats’ right to not attend but said they are missing out on history.
“I commend my counterpart Dave Loebsack for going; he and I have become good friends,” Young said. “I know that this is about Trump being sworn in, but I hope people look beyond that and at this great experiment we call the American republic that is all made possible through the will of the people.”
Rep. Rod Blum, R-Iowa, did not respond to Daily Iowan photo requests and emails for comment this week.