Ernst questioned on Kavanaugh at Grundy Center town hall

GRUNDY CENTER - U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was top of mind Friday during a town hall meeting hosted by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in Grundy Center.

The discussion became heated when Eldora resident Julie Duhn demanded the FBI investigate sexual misconduct allegations a California woman recently leveled against Kavanaugh.

'The FBI doesn't investigate at that level,” Ernst said, as Duhn spoke about Anita Hill, a woman who accused Justice Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment in 1991 and whose accusation was investigated by the FBI.

'Obviously, you do not understand sexual assault or you would not say there should be a criminal complaint filed in Maryland,” Duhn said. 'You don't get it.”

Ernst and Duhn occasionally spoke over each other, while several people in the crowd of around 50 made comments.

'You people are responsible to us as citizens,” Duhn added. 'It would be a lifetime appointment. I expect you to ask for that FBI investigation. Do the right thing.”

Ernst said she would ask local authorities to investigate the matter.

'I do understand sexual assault probably more than most citizens in this room,” Ernst said, speaking over Duhn.

Ernst addressed the recent homicides of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts and Iowa State University student Celia Barquin Arozamena.

'Any senseless, horrible act like that, you're going to see a public outcry,” Ernst said.

'It is so unfortunate, but what we have heard - and I've only heard this through the media - from what I understand is that the young man that killed (Barquin Arozamena) has stated that he wanted to rape and kill a woman. Why was that not reported to authorities?”

Ernst said she hates the thought that Barquin Arozamena's death perhaps could have been prevented.

sentencing reform

She also addressed possible criminal justice reform and said she thinks non-violent offenders should be looked at on a case-by-case basis.

'The intent is to find a path forward, rehabilitation, re-engagement, with those that are non-violent offenders,” Ernst said. 'Get them back in their communities and make sure that they are contributing members of society.”

mental health

Mental health issues also need a deep dive, she said.

'It's not just Iowa that's going through a mental health crisis,” she said. 'I think it's the United States as a whole that's going through a mental health crisis.

'We just need to figure out the effective ways of treatment, effective ways of substance abuse.”

climate change

Ernst also discussed climate change, saying that the world's climate has been changing since the Earth was formed.

'The climate does change, I don't think there's any way that we can dispute that, but I think what it comes down to is, people dispute what is causing it,” Ernst said. 'I think our climate will continually change, no matter what.”