Theresa Greenfield, U.S. Senate for Iowa

The Gazette sent questionnaires to Iowa's U.S. Senate candidates and other candidates for federal, state and county offices. The responses are unedited, unless to correct spelling or punctuation. 

To see other candidates' responses, visit our Election 2020 Candidates page. 

Theresa Greenfield faces Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Libertarian Rick Stewart and No Party candidate Suzanne Herzog in the election for U.S. Senate. 

Click to see the other candidates' responses:

• Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst

• Libertarian Rick Stewart

• No Party candidate Suzanne Herzog

State and local governments have seen revenues fall during the pandemic. Should Congress provide more direct aid to states and cities?

Yes. As detailed in my 'Back on Our Feet' plan to get through this pandemic we need to provide urgent economic aid to our state and local governments. From first responders and sanitation workers to public health officials, our public employees provide essential services - and we can't leave them behind during this health and economic crisis. My plan also details how to keep us safe with more testing and a statewide mask mandate, how to put our workers first by expanding paid sick leave and extended unemployment benefits, and how to regrow our economy with more direct payments and loans for small businesses.

In contrast, Senator Ernst has failed us during this pandemic. She voted against paid sick leave and unemployment benefits, while pushing for a $500 billion slush fund that could allow corporate CEOs to fire workers and still collect bonuses. She's also refused to apologize for pushing a baseless and dangerous conspiracy that accuses our health care heroes of lying about COVID-19 deaths and cases to line their own pockets. That's wrong. It's time we had new leaders who put us first.

The national debt is reaching World War II proportions and may exceed the U.S. GDP. What steps should be taken?

As the former president of a small business with eight employees, I know what it's like to balance a budget, keep the lights on and sign paychecks. The government should work a lot more like that. To start, we've got to stop these massive tax cuts for the wealthiest and big corporations - like Senator Ernst's plan that gave the biggest benefits to big corporations while adding $2 trillion dollars to the debt, threatening the future of Social Security and Medicare. We should also end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas to countries like China, let Medicare negotiate for lower prescription drug costs, which would save taxpayers $500 billion, and open up the books and cut wasteful spending that just isn't working.

How can Congress ensure health care access for everyone?

Health care is the number-one issue I hear about on the campaign trail. Iowans are worried about higher costs, losing their coverage, keeping rural hospitals open, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

In Washington, I'll work to make sure everyone has access to the care they need. I'll fight to protect Iowa's Medicaid expansion, create a public health insurance option that folks can buy into, cap drug costs, and allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies to bring down costs. All Iowans should have access to quality health care, no matter where they live or how much money they make. In contrast, Senator Ernst took massive contributions from Big Pharma and voted repeatedly to gut protections for Iowans and opposes letting Medicare negotiate with the drug companies for lower prescription drug prices.

Do you support the Green New Deal? What must be done to protect the environment and limit harmful emissions without crippling farming?

I believe we need to take urgent climate action now, but I do not support the Green New Deal. My approach would focus on making sure climate action is an economic opportunity for all of us in Iowa - farmers, workers and small businesses.

As my 'Fair Shot for Our Farmers' plan outlines, Iowa has a huge opportunity to lead in new economic opportunities and markets for conservation and renewable energy. We need more financial incentives and investments to create new streams of revenue for farmers engaging in conservation and promoting renewable energy, including improved soil health, sequestering and storing carbon, and capturing and converting methane to use and sell as fuel and energy. This will benefit local economies, communities, and manufacturers, with new opportunities and create new conservation and energy markets for our farmers.

Yet, Senator Ernst continues to deny climate science and refuses to take action, and it's costing us good-paying jobs.

What needs to be done about the nation's infrastructure? Where do you start, and how do you fund projects? Would you raise the gas tax?

I'm frustrated with both parties' failure to pass a robust infrastructure package. Iowa is 50th in the nation in bridge suitability, and too many Iowans don't have access to the high-speed rural broadband that they need to go to school, stay connected to family, or grow their small business.

We need to start rebuilding our infrastructure the right way, with good-paying jobs and American made products. We need to pass Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer's "Stop Swaps, Protect Local Jobs Act" and make sure we're enforcing Buy America requirements that support jobs here in Iowa. As one step to cover costs, I'd support ending tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and reversing the massive tax giveaways Senator Ernst gave to the wealthiest and big corporations.

What is your stance on how the federal government should help Americans with student loan debt?

I believe every Iowan should have the opportunity to get the education and skills they need to get a good job and follow their dreams. But right now, nearly 70% of college seniors are graduating with debt. When I went to Iowa Lakes Community College, I got a job at Pizza Hut and made enough money to pay tuition, buy books, and even have a beer on Friday night. That's not possible anymore — and we need to change that.

I support making community college debt-free, expanding Pell Grants and working with unions and technical colleges to expand apprenticeships and skills training programs so folks can earn while they learn. We should also offer student loan relief to farmers, by implementing forgiveness programs specifically designed for students studying agriculture.

Do you support raising the $7.25-an-hour federal minimum wage? If yes, what would you raise it to? Would you tie the wage to inflation? If no, why not?

Yes, nobody can raise a family on $7.25 an hour. We need to work toward a $15 an hour minimum wage over time so every Iowan can support their family and work toward their own American Dream. We also need to invest in apprenticeships and skills training programs to create more opportunities and more jobs in Iowa where you can earn a good living with dignity and strong benefits like health care and a secure retirement.

How will you involve the public in your decision-making process?

I believe Washington can learn a thing or two from how our hometowns work here in Iowa. When we're facing tough times, we set the politics aside and pull together to get the job done. The lessons I've learned from putting myself through college, overcoming personal tragedy and rising up in small businesses have prepared me to represent everyday Iowans.

I also have the experience of working as a community planner. I started my career going to local government meetings and seeing the way our hometowns come together to tackle problems. I learned quickly there's no such thing as a Democratic pothole or a Republican pothole - just a pothole that needs to get filled.

That will be my same approach in the U.S. Senate. It's time to end all the divisiveness. I'll listen to Iowans and work with anyone to get real results for Iowans.

Would you support adding more seats to the Supreme Court or limiting the length of time a justice can serve on the court?

No 

Should the Confederate flag be removed from federal property?

Yes

Should military bases named for Confederate leaders be changed?

Yes

Should the federal government regulate social media to prevent fake news and misinformation?

No. I support establishing a grant program to improve media literacy and give students the skills to identify misinformation online.

Would you support a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Electoral College?

No 

Should candidates for federal office be required to release their federal income tax returns?

Yes

Should there be term limits for members of Congress?

No. The best way to reform our democracy is to end political corruption by getting big money out of politics.