KMA: Axne "honored" to be sworn into office

Brent Barnett, KMA Land, Jan 4, 2019 

(Washington, D.C.) -- You can take 'elect' away from her title. Cindy Axne is officially the U.S. Representative from Iowa's Third Congressional District.

The Des Moines Democrat was sworn into office Thursday morning during a ceremony at the start of the 116th Congress. She reacted to taking the oath of office on KMA's "Morning Line" program Friday morning.

"I'm really honored and humbled to be along with Rep. (Abby) Finkenauer as two women to first represent Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives," Axne said. "It's quite an honor as a fifth generation Iowan. I was a kid who grew up on the south side of Des Moines, and both of my parents are from farm families. I'm so grateful."

Inside a jam-packed House gallery, Axne was joined by her husband, John, and her two sons, Gunnar and Rafe, as well as her father, Terry.

"There was no room to sit on the Democratic side, so I went and sat on the Republican side and met some of my new members on the other side of the aisle," Axne said. "I had a really great time sitting there with them. If I had a question about something that occurred, it was great to talk with them."

On her first day in office, the House voted on two bills that would open the government as the partial government shutdown continues. Axne voted in favor of both measures, and says the first was a package of six appropriations bills that were previously approved with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate in December.

"The first order of business that we needed to accomplish was reopening the government to make sure every federal employee receives their paycheck, and so that we reopen services for people here in our country," Axne said. "I think it's a great bill. I certainly hope the president signs off on it. It's essentially making sure we fund the outstanding appropriations bills through the rest of the fiscal year."

The second bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security through February 8th, allowing time for Congress and President Trump to reach an agreement to strengthen border security.

"I requested financial services and agriculture," she said. "I hope I get on both of those. They are two of our biggest sectors in Iowa. I want to make sure we protect the economy of the people in our district. Being on committees that directly affect people's paychecks, and our biggest industries, is really important."

Axne was one of a record 102 women sworn into the House Thursday morning. Her full interview can be found on our Morning Line page at kmaland.com.