Statements and posts
33 press releases and posts, newest first.
-
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.”
Social WelfareAI-read
-
Ernst to Senate Democrats: Stop Letting Big Tech Pass the Buck
Criticized Senate Democrats for blocking Ratepayer Protection Act on data center costs.
“In Iowa, we believe in a simple rule: you plug in, you pay up.”
Ratepayer Protection ActAI-read
-
Ernst: America Can’t Hit Pause on AI While China Charges Ahead
Questioned witnesses on AI development and cybersecurity during subcommittee hearing.
“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 partnership between Iowa National Guard and Kosovo.
“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.”
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Ludlow’s Steakhouse
Announced Ludlow's Steakhouse as Small Business of the Week in Wayne County, Iowa.
“Through their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to their employees and community, the Pershys have grown Ludlow’s Steakhouse into a Wayne County staple — a job truly well done.”
CommerceAI-read
-
Ernst Joins President Trump to Tout Transformative $15 Billion Steel Investment in Iowa
Announced $15 billion steel mill investment in Iowa expected to create over 1,700 jobs.
“I am grateful to President Trump for securing this historic deal that will create thousands of jobs for Iowans.”
Mesabi Metallics Steel Mill Location DecisionEconomics and Public FinanceAI-read
-
Ernst, Grassley Lead Resolution Honoring Iowan Ray Gaesser
Led resolution designating Ray Gaesser Memorial Farm Safety Week to honor an Iowa farmer.
“Ray Gaesser embodied the very best of Iowa agriculture—a hardworking farmer, a strong advocate for our producers, and a friend to so many across our state.”
Agriculture and FoodAI-read
-
Ernst, Miller-Meeks Bill to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing Heads to President’s Desk
Senate passed Ernst's bipartisan bill to boost domestic manufacturing of critical goods.
“My bipartisan bill will identify vulnerabilities in our supply chains and help bring manufacturing back to rural America, where Iowans are ready to roll up their sleeves, get to work, and once again make ‘Made in America’ the norm instead of the exception.”
CommerceAI-read
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, North Lumber & Home Center
Named North Lumber & Home Center of Decatur County as Small Business of the Week.
“North Lumber & Home Center has truly gotten to the root of what it means to be a hardworking, dedicated small business”
Constituent ServicesAI-read
-
Ernst Welcomes Farm Bill Progress, More Work Needed
Praised Senate Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill advancement, called for bipartisan support.
“Today’s vote moves the Farm Bill process forward and brings us closer to delivering certainty for Iowa farmers and rural communities. The bill includes important priorities I have fought for, from expanding access to year-round E15 and protecting American farmland from China to supporting farmer mental health.”
Agriculture and FoodAI-read
-
Ernst, Miller-Meeks Applaud House Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Expose Boondoggles
Applauded House passage of Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act requiring transparency on overbudget projects.
“Going a billion dollars over budget isn’t a rounding error—it’s a financial trainwreck at taxpayers’ expense.”
Government SpendingAI-read
-
Ernst Earns Award for Championing Iowa Pork Producers
Received National Pork Producers Council award for supporting Iowa pork producers.
“Growing up feeding hogs and walking beans on my family farm in southwest Iowa, I learned early that agriculture is not just an industry in Iowa—it is our way of life.”
Agriculture and FoodAI-read
-
Washington’s Secret Spending Stops Today!
President Trump signed Ernst's bipartisan Stop Secret Spending Act into law.
“Taxpayers deserve the receipts. For years, I’ve fought to drag Washington’s secret spending into the sunlight, and I’m grateful President Trump signed my bill into law.”
Government SpendingAI-read
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Five Sons Landscaping & Design
Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“Five Sons Landscape & Design has laid the groundwork for success through hard work, family values, and a commitment to serving their fellow Iowans.”
-
Ernst Marks 25 Years Since September 11: Freedom Is Never Free
We must never forget that freedom is never free—it is defended every day by the brave men and women who answer the call to serve.
“Twenty-five years ago, America’s strength was tested. September 11th changed our nation forever, but it also showed the world the resilience, courage, and unity of the American people.”
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Piper’s Grocery and Homemade Candies
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Piper’s Grocery and Homemade Candies of Lucas County.
“Piper’s Grocery and Homemade Candies has sweetened the Chariton community for more than 120 years, preserving generations of tradition that make Iowans keep coming back.”
-
Ernst Applauds $5 Million in Disaster Relief for Iowa Communities
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) applauded President Trump for delivering $5 million in federal disaster relief funding following severe weather and heavy rainfall that impacted Iowa between July 1 and July 4.
“I am grateful for President Trump’s steadfast support and leadership in quickly answering our call for expedited disaster relief following the devastating storms that struck communities across Iowa.”
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, The Bread Board
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: The Bread Board of Marion County.
“The Bread Board has risen to the occasion, growing from Heidi’s passion for baking into a thriving Pella bakery that brings people together.”
-
Ernst Cracks Down on Chinese Surveillance of U.S. Military Shipments
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced the Keeping China Off the Rails Act to strengthen national security by preventing cargo monitoring technology linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from being used to track sensitive…
“No foreign adversary—especially one as hostile as Communist China—should have access to information about sensitive military shipments or activities at some of our nation’s highest-security facilities.”
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Henningsen’s Meat Processing
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Henningsen’s Meat Processing of Cass County.
“Henningsen’s Meat Processing has been a cut above the rest for nearly five decades, carrying on a proud family tradition of serving up high-quality, locally sourced meat to southwest Iowa.”
-
Ernst, Grassley Announce Service Academy Virtual Informational Nights
The offices of U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are hosting two virtual informational events for Iowans interested in applying to U.S. Military Service Academies.
-
Ernst Presents Squeal Award to the Shady Bunch, Families Who Make Fraud a Family Affair
Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced her August Squeal Award recipient: fraudster families who make a living scamming hardworking Americans.
“Committing fraud is literally all relative for these families of felons.”
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, The Farmer’s Daughters
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: The Farmer’s Daughters of Fremont County.
“The Farmer’s Daughters has decorated southwest Iowa with success, growing from a pop-up shop into a thriving family business serving Iowans.”
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Lone Arranger
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Lone Arranger of Adams County.
“Lone Arranger has been in full bloom in Adams County for more than 28 years.”
-
Senate Unanimously Passes Ernst’s Bipartisan Stop Secret Spending Act
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) bipartisan bill requiring public disclosure of tens of billions of secret government spending was approved by the Senate today and is headed to the president to become law.
“When Iowans send their hard-earned tax dollars to Washington, they deserve to know exactly where every cent goes and why.”
-
Ernst’s Urbandale ZIP Code Fix Heads to Senate Floor
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs successfully advanced U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) bipartisan billrequiring the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP code for 83 specific communities…
“This vote brings residents of Urbandale and communities across the country one step closer to ending years of delayed and misdirected mail caused by ZIP code boundary disputes.”
-
Ernst Statement on Advancing a Bipartisan Farm Bill
The Farm Bill released by Chairman Boozman includes priorities I’ve been fighting to deliver for Iowans for over a decade, from expanding access to year-round E15 and keeping our farmland out of the hands of China to supporting farmer…
“Our states have to get to a point where they don't have this huge discrepancy with the error rates. I've worked really hard with our friends across the aisle to try and find a solution to this, because I do think that what was done in the One Big, Beautiful Bill, it did favor certain states, and it doesn't allow for…”
-
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), along with U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), this week urged President…
-
Ernst Joins Vice President Vance, White House Task Force to Wage War on Fraud
Today, Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined Vice President J.D. Vance and the White House Task Force to discuss how Republicans are putting fraudsters out of business.
“Bad actors have been scamming American taxpayers for far too long.”
-
Ernst, Padilla Celebrate National Farmers Market Week
U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating Aug. 2–8, 2026, as National Farmers Market Week to celebrate the hardworking farmers and ranchers who feed our families, fuel our…
“Agriculture is the heart of Iowa, and farmers markets make it easier for Iowans to buy fresh, locally grown food in communities across our state.”
-
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Present Company
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Present Company of Audubon County.
“Present Company has been the gift that keeps on giving to Audubon for more than three decades.”