Joni Ernst has represented Iowa in the U.S. Senate since 2015. Not seeking re-election in 2026.
Before entering the U.S. Senate, Ernst was Montgomery County auditor from 2005 to 2011 and served in the Iowa State Senate from 2011 to 2014. Ernst served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015 and retired as a lieutenant colonel.
Ernst earned a Bachelor of Arts from Iowa State University in 1992 and a Master in Public Administration from Columbus State University in 1995. After graduating from Iowa State University, Ernst joined the U.S. Army Reserve and served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015, including command assignments in Kuwait and at Camp Dodge. Ernst was Montgomery County auditor from 2005 to 2011, then served in the Iowa State Senate from 2011 to 2014. Ernst entered the U.S. Senate in 2015, served as Senate Republican Conference vice chair from 2019 to 2023, and chaired the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2023 to 2025.Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: GPO Pictorial Directory, 119th Congress / Public domain
| BILL | TITLE · POLICY AREA | STAGE | COSPON. |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. 3971 | Small Business Innovation and Economic Security ActCOMMERCE | Became law | 1 COSPON. |
| S. 766 | Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICS | Passed both | 4 COSPON. |
| S. 872 | Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICS | Passed Senate | 5 COSPON. |
| S. 1199 | SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension ActCOMMERCE | Passed Senate | 1 COSPON. |
| S. 1070 | National STEM Week ActEDUCATION | Passed Senate | 1 COSPON. |
| S. 1872 | Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility ActCOMMERCE | Passed Senate | 2 COSPON. |
| S. 4505 | A bill to require the United States Postal Service to designate ZIP Codes for certain communities.GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICS | Out of committee | 10 COSPON. |
| S. 1555 | Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025COMMERCE | Out of committee | 6 COSPON. |
| S. 298 | Returning SBA to Main Street ActCOMMERCE | Out of committee | 2 COSPON. |
| S. 68 | Complete COVID Collections ActCOMMERCE | Out of committee | 6 COSPON. |
| S. 5314 | No Cash for Cohabitating Kins of Crooks ActGOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICS | Introduced | 0 COSPON. |
| S. 5294 | Keeping China Off the Rails Act of 2026TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS | Introduced | 0 COSPON. |
MOST RATEDErnst shared the report’s findings and urged federal officials to verify recipients’ eligibility before paying them.
Ernst says her investigation of family fraud schemes helped motivate her bill restricting certain federal aid.
MOST RATEDErnst said a final agreement should verifiably prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and questioned the proposed funding.
Ernst said Hegseth should explain the reductions and show that they serve military needs and readiness.
Ernst criticized Senate Democrats for blocking a bill she said would protect Iowa ratepayers from data-center power costs.
Ernst welcomed the investment and said she would continue working to strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
Iowa Republicans honored Ernst’s Senate career as she reflected on her service and looked ahead to retirement.
MOST RATEDErnst shared the report’s findings and urged federal officials to verify recipients’ eligibility before paying them.
Record updated . ChamberLight is not an official government source. Reader ratings reflect public reception, not editorial judgment.
