Ayanna Pressley to Iowa Gov. Reynolds: Iowa Can’t Be a ‘Model of Governance’ Because It’s Too White

EXCERPT:

PRESSLEY: “Governor Reynolds, my Republican colleagues invited you here today to promote what they see as a model of governance. Simply put, Republicans' vision of America is to be more like Iowa. Governor Reynolds, let's learn more about the state. Do you know what percentage of Iowans are white and what percentage are black?”
REYNOLDS: “I don't know the exact percentages now, but by far a larger percentage of white population.”
PRESSLEY: “That's correct. Iowa is 90 --”
REYNOLDS: “Ninety.”
PRESSLEY: “-- percent --”
REYNOLDS: “Yeah.”
PRESSLEY: “-- white and only four and a half percent black. So that is drastically different from the national population. So when Republicans suggest Iowa should be a national model, they're advocating for a government that doesn't reflect our country. So let's talk about what this model of governance actually means in practice. In Iowa, you signed State Senate Bill 2385 to eliminate more than 80 state boards and commissions, including those representing black Iowans, Latinos, women, people with disabilities, and Asian, Pacific Islanders, communities that are marginalized and vulnerable and have fought for decades to have a seat at the table. Now, Republicans call this fiscal responsibility. I just call it erasure.”