Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, will deliver the official Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address Jan. 20, Republican leaders announced Jan.15.

At a news conference during a GOP retreat in Hershey, Pa., House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared alongside Ernst to make the announcement.

“Sen. Ernst’s life is a quintessential ‘only-in-America’ story. She built a campaign by listening to the people of Iowa and focusing on their priorities, especially jobs and our still-struggling economy,” Boehner said. “She knows that our federal government is too big, our spending is too high, and our tax code is broken. And she knows first-hand the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to keep us all safe in a dangerous world.”

Ernst has officially been a senator for less than two weeks. At the news conference, Ernst said she was honored to be chosen to give the official response.

“I am truly honored to deliver the Republican address. It’s a long way from Red Oak, Iowa, to Washington, D.C. But now that I am here, I am excited to get to work in order to craft and implement real solutions as we chart a new path forward for our great nation,” Ernst said. “During this Congress, we must help grow a vibrant economy, see to it that our veterans receive promised quality care and that our military has the tools to defend our nation’s security, and ensure the federal government begins to run more effectively and efficiently.”

Ernst was elected in November to replace longtime Sen. Tom Harkin. The Republican senator from Red Oak is the first woman to be elected to Congress from Iowa.

Ernst is a graduate of Iowa State University and later joined the Iowa Army National Guard. Ernst served in the Iowa State Senate from 2011-2014.

The State of the Union is scheduled for Jan. 20. Obama will deliver his remarks in front of a joint session of Congress at 8 p.m.