Senators must stand with the people

The Gazette recently reported that 14 Republicans and all Democrats in the U.S. Senate voted to advance a resolution in favor of the removal of U.S. forces from the Yemen conflict. Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst did not vote in favor.

The Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war. Although we do not have troops in Yemen, the administration has been supporting Saudi Arabia in this dreadful conflict. In fact, the President has also not recognized that the Saudi Crown Prince would have directed or at least known about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

This President has supported dictatorial behaviors, such as in the Philippines, while straining relationships with democracies in Europe. He denigrates those in his own party, such as Rex Tillerson, who he called 'dumb as a rock” and 'lazy as hell.”

Our farmers are suffering because of the grain tariffs, and California suffers from the mindless threats to federal funding for the federal lands just burned in the wildfires.

It is hypocritical of our Senators to support this heartless, shortsighted behavior. Ernst will again be running for her Senate seat in 2020. She should think carefully about what she supports - the President or the people.

Sonia Ettinger

Iowa City