U.S. Senator from Iowa · Class II
Joni Ernst
Position · +0.54
- In office
- Senate 2015–now
11 years in CongressMore senior than 35% of the Senate - Breaks on
- Armed Forces and National Security 10% · Economics and Public Finance 1%
- Committees
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry · Armed Services · Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- Bills on
- Government Operations and Politics · Commerce · Agriculture and Food
- Age
- 56
2026 election
Not on the November ballot
General election Nov 3, 2026
On the ballot for this seat
- DJosh Turek$6.3M
- RAshley Hinson
Bottom line
Where Ernst has influence
Roles
- Chairman · Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Chairman · Rural Development, Energy, and Credit (Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry)
- Chairman · Emerging Threats and Capabilities (Armed Services)
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry · 4th in seniority on the majority side
- Armed Services · 5th in seniority on the majority side
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs · 7th in seniority on the majority side
Bills on the move
- S. 766 Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 · Sent to President
- S. 4505 A bill to require the United States Postal Service to designate ZIP Codes for certain communities. · Out of committee
- S. 4952 Protecting American Taxpayers Act · Out of committee
- S. 4378 Protecting American Taxpayers Act · Out of committee
Talks most about
Stories in Ernst’s press releases with their latest stance, last three months. Read by AI.
Where Ernst breaks with Republicans
MethodShare of party-line votes on each issue where Ernst voted against most Republicans. The tick is the median for Senate Republicans.
- Armed Forces and National Security 10% · 1 of 10 party 0%
- Economics and Public Finance 1% · 1 of 184 party 1%
Notable votes
Full record (Pro)Where Ernst broke with their party, close outcomes and final passage votes on named bills, newest first.
| Date | Title | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 09/30/26 | On the NominationKeith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor | Not voting |
| 09/23/26 | On the NominationAngela Veronica Colmenero, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas | Not voting |
| 08/08/26 | Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027On the Motion to Table · This bill provides continuing FY2027 appropriations for federal agencies and extends various expiring programs and authorities.Broke w/ party | Nay |
| 06/04/26 | Secure America ActOn the Motion · This act provides $70 billion in funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. | Not voting |
| 06/04/26 | Secure America ActOn the Motion · This act provides $70 billion in funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. | Not voting |
| 06/04/26 | Secure America ActOn the Motion · This act provides $70 billion in funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. | Not voting |
| 06/04/26 | Secure America ActOn the Motion · This act provides $70 billion in funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S.Broke w/ party | Yea |
| 01/30/26 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026On the Amendment · This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026…Broke w/ party | Nay |
Yea ■ filled · Nay □ open · Not voting – dash. Party split bars: Democrats left, Republicans right; dark = yea, light = nay.
What Ernst is saying
All 33 statements and posts-
ICYMI: Who Are the Millionaires Collecting Unemployment? IRS Letter to Ernst Reveals the Answer
Highlighted IRS data showing 10,100 millionaires collected $97.4 million in unemployment benefits in 2024.
“My message to the affluent finance bros being cut off from Uncle Sam's unemployment trust fund is simple: If you are fortunate enough to make $1 million or more per year without having to work, then you should be counting your blessings — not collecting jobless benefits.”
Fraud EnforcementAI-read
-
Ernst to Senate Democrats: Stop Letting Big Tech Pass the Buck
Criticized Senate Democrats for blocking bill to protect ratepayers from data center costs.
“In Iowa, we believe in a simple rule: you plug in, you pay up.”
EnergyAI-read
-
Ernst: America Can’t Hit Pause on AI While China Charges Ahead
Praised artificial intelligence for national security while calling for guardrails.
“AI has been so helpful in medical research and protecting our troops from drone swarms or missile attacks… so we need to keep moving forward. If we pause, we're not going to see China pause.”
CybersecurityAI-read
-
Democrats Block Ernst Effort to Protect Taxpayer Dollars from Fraudsters
Criticized Democrats for blocking anti-fraud package worth $240 billion in savings.
“if grift was a government agency, the Department of Fraud would be the fifth largest.”
Fraud EnforcementAI-read
-
Ernst Investigation Reveals Fraudsters Becoming Billionaires by Bilking Taxpayers
Released investigation revealing fraudsters billed government health programs over $21 billion.
“While Iowans are juggling rising health care costs, these criminals are building empires by stealing from government health care programs and using the proceeds to bankroll mansions, luxury cars, and lavish lifestyles. Fraudsters are literally putting the con in convertible. For too long, Washington focused on taxing…”
Fraud EnforcementAI-read
-
Ernst, Grassley Mark 15 Years of Iowa-Kosovo Partnership
Introduced resolution recognizing 15-year Iowa National Guard and Kosovo partnership.
“Having served in the Iowa National Guard and trained alongside the Kosovo Security Forces during my service, I know firsthand the value of the partnership between Iowa and the Kosovo Security Force that has been built over the past 15 years.”
◇ statements (press releases) · ○ posts. When a statement names a bill Ernst voted on, the vote is shown next to it.
Effectiveness, 119th Congress so far
How it’s measuredAbove expectations
Rank 7 of 100 in the Senate ┃ expected = average of 21 majority-party committee chairs
How far Ernst’s own bills got, weighted by substance. The average member scores 1.00.
87 bills and joint resolutions sponsored: 1 significant (got a roll call vote), 85 substantive, 1 commemorative. Compare the Senate
Became law (1)
1 national policy
- S. 3971 Small Business Innovation and Economic Security ActReauthorizes Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer programs through 2031 with expanded security and training requirements. AI-readBecame law Apr 13, 2026 · CommerceNational policy
Scope tags come from an AI reading of each bill where available, otherwise from its title and policy area. They don’t change the score. How scope is tagged
Bills, 119th Congress
All 100 sponsored billsSponsored 100 (Senate median 61) · cosponsored 208 (median 307.5), 9 of them as an original cosponsor · most often on Government Operations and Politics, Commerce, Agriculture and Food.
- S.Res. 916 A resolution designating the week of September 21, 2026, as the "Ray Gaesser Memorial Farm Safety Week" to recognize the life and legacy of Ray Gaesser, who passed away in a tragic farming accident, and promote farm safety in the honor of Ray Gaesser.Introduced Sep 28, 2026 Passed a chamber
- S. 5314 No Cash for Cohabitating Kins of Crooks ActGovernment Operations and Politics · Introduced Aug 6, 2026 In committee
- S. 5294 Keeping China Off the Rails Act of 2026Transportation and Public Works · Introduced Aug 6, 2026 In committee
- S. 4747 Stopping Fraudulent Payments ActGovernment Operations and Politics · Introduced Aug 4, 2026 In committee
- S. 1199 SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension ActExtends Small Business Administration authority to investigate and prosecute fraud in lending programs. AI-readCommerce · Introduced Aug 4, 2026 Introduced
- S. 4952 Protecting American Taxpayers ActUnknown; bill summary not yet available. AI-readGovernment Operations and Politics · Introduced Jul 20, 2026 Out of committee
- S. 4940 Specialized Infant Formula Protection ActAgriculture and Food · Introduced Jun 24, 2026 In committee
- S. 4892 SMART Energy Efficiency Standards ActEnergy · Introduced Jun 24, 2026 In committee
Votes by issue
How votes are tagged| Issue | Votes | Yea share | With party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominations | 219 | 100% | Pro |
| Economics and Public Finance | 206 | 38% | Pro |
| Other | 115 | 100% | Pro |
| International Affairs | 36 | 17% | Pro |
| Immigration | 32 | 31% | Pro |
| Defense & national security | 32 | 97% | Pro |
| Energy & environment | 25 | 100% | Pro |
| Congress | 19 | 95% | Pro |
| Environmental Protection | 19 | 68% | Pro |
| Finance and Financial Sector | 19 | 79% | Pro |
| Armed Forces and National Security | 16 | 50% | Pro |
| Public Lands and Natural Resources | 14 | 100% | Pro |
| Energy | 13 | 100% | Pro |
| Government Operations and Politics | 13 | 77% | Pro |
| Taxes, finance & economy | 13 | 100% | Pro |
| Sports and Recreation | 12 | 67% | Pro |
| Transportation and Public Works | 12 | 42% | Pro |
| Foreign affairs & trade | 10 | 100% | Pro |
| Health care | 10 | 100% | Pro |
| Housing and Community Development | 9 | 100% | Pro |
| Transportation & infrastructure | 8 | 100% | Pro |
| Taxation | 7 | 57% | Pro |
| Budget & appropriations | 7 | 100% | Pro |
| Foreign Trade and International Finance | 6 | 17% | Pro |
| Crime and Law Enforcement | 4 | 100% | Pro |
| Health | 4 | 25% | Pro |
| Education & families | 3 | 100% | Pro |
| Education | 2 | 50% | Pro |
| Emergency Management | 2 | 0% | Pro |
| Science, Technology, Communications | 2 | 100% | Pro |
| Immigration & border | 2 | 100% | Pro |
| Crime & justice | 2 | 100% | Pro |
| Families | 1 | 0% | Pro |
Who votes alike
MethodAgreement on contested votes where both cast yea or nay.
Most aligned
- RAlan ArmstrongOK Senate99%agreement
- RJames LankfordOK Senate99%agreement
- RBill HagertyTN Senate99%agreement
See all twelve closest allies, the members Ernst most often votes against, and the closest allies in the other party.
Start with a free account Log inCampaign money
MethodIn the 2025–26 cycle Ernst’s campaign raised $2.0M: $997K (50%) from individuals and $637K (32%) from PACs and other committees. Cash on hand: $1.9M.
Through Jun 30, 2026; filings lag, so recent gifts can take weeks to appear. Money raised also counts loans and transfers, so the shares need not add to 100%. Source: FEC.gov.
Last cycle, party money, self-funding and debts are part of Pro. See Pro
Who funds Ernst
The largest PACs and other committees giving directly to the campaign this cycle, of 160.
- Growth Energy PAC Trade association PAC
- Scott Member’s leadership PAC
- Northeast Senate Victory Committee Member’s leadership PAC
See how much each organization gave Ernst this cycle and last, the mix of corporate, labor, trade and other PACs, and who else each one funds.
Start with a free account Log inErnst’s own leadership PAC: Jobs Opportunity and New Ideas PAC. A separate PAC a member sponsors to give to other candidates.
Record over time
Compare Ernst’s measures across every Congress on file.
Start with a free account Log inRésumé and contact
Career in Congress
- U.S. Senate, IowaRepublican2015–present
Seat
- State
- Iowa
- Seat
- Class 2, junior senator
- Current term
- 2021–2027
- Age
- 56
Committees and roles
Contact
- DC office
- 202-224-3254
260 Russell Senate Office Building - District offices
- Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City, Council Bluffs
- Website
- ernst.senate.gov
- senjoniernst
- senjoniernst
Elsewhere
Wikipedia · Ballotpedia · GovTrack · Congress.gov · OpenSecrets
Oathstar ID osp_aez43pa3ct
