New Sen. Joni Ernst to deliver GOP response to Obama

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Joni Ernst, the newly elected Iowa senator who once touted her experience at castrating pigs, is to deliver the Republican response to the State of the Union.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., made the announcement Thursday during the party's annual congressional retreat in Hershey, Pa.

Ernst, who grew up on a hog farm in Iowa, made national headlines during last year's campaign when she said her experience had prepared her to cut government pork in Washington. She is a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard and the first female military veteran to serve in the Senate.

McConnell touted Ernst's military career in his announcement.

"Sen. Ernst brings a unique perspective to the Senate," McConnell said. "She is a mother, a soldier and an independent leader who serves in Washington because Americans voted for change in the last election."

Ernst said she was "honored."

"It's a long way from Red Oak, Iowa, to Washington, D.C.," she said in a statement Thursday. "But now that I am here, I am excited to get to work in order to craft and implement real solutions as we chart a new path forward for our great nation. During this Congress, we must help grow a vibrant economy, see to it that our veterans receive promised quality care and that our military has the tools to defend our nation's security, and ensure the federal government begins to run more effectively and efficiently."

President Obama is to deliver the speech Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress and to a national television audience in the millions.