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{{Short description|American politician and military officer (born 1970)}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
{{pp-move|small=yes}}
|name = Joni Ernst
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
|image = Joni Ernst - Official Portrait - 84th GA.jpg
{{Infobox officeholder
|state_senate = Iowa
|district = 12th | name = Joni Ernst
| image = Joni Ernst, official portrait, 116th Congress 3.jpg
|term_start = January 5, 2011
| office = Chair of the ]
|term_end =
| status = Designate
|predecessor = ]
| term_start = January 3, 2025
|successor =
| term_end =
|birthname = Joni Kay Culver
| succeeding = ]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|7|1}}
| predecessor = ]
|birth_place = ], ], ]
|death_date = | successor =
| office1 = Ranking Member of the ]
|death_place =
| term_start1 = January 3, 2023
|party = ]
|spouse = Gail Ernst | term_end1 = <!-- January 3, 2025 -->
| predecessor1 = ]
|alma_mater = ]<br>]
| successor1 = <!-- ] (designate) -->
|religion = ]
| office2 = Chair of the ]
|website =
| leader2 = ]
| term_start2 = January 3, 2023
| term_end2 = <!-- January 3, 2025 -->
| predecessor2 = ]
| successor2 = <!-- ] (designate) -->
| office3 = Vice Chair of the ]
| leader3 = ]
| term_start3 = January 3, 2019
| term_end3 = January 3, 2023
| predecessor3 = ]
| successor3 = ]
| jr/sr4 = United States Senator
| state4 = ]
| alongside4 = ]
| term_start4 = January 3, 2015
| term_end4 =
| predecessor4 = ]
| successor4 =
| state_senate5 = Iowa
| district5 = ]
| term_start5 = January 5, 2011
| term_end5 = November 28, 2014
| predecessor5 = ]
| successor5 = ]
| birth_name = Joni Kay Culver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|7|1}}
| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = ]
| spouse = {{marriage|Gail Ernst|July 24, 1992|January 2019|end=div}}
| children = 1
| education = {{ubl |] (]) |] (])}}
| signature = Joni-Ernst-Signature-01.svg
| website = {{url|ernst.senate.gov|Senate website}}
| branch = {{tree list}}
* ]
** ]
** ]
{{tree list/end}}
| serviceyears = {{ubl|1992–1993 (reserve)|1993–2015 (guard)}}
| rank = ]
| unit = {{ubl |1168th Transportation Company |185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion}}
| battles_label = Wars
| battles = ]
| mawards = {{ubl|]|]|]}}
|module = {{Listen
|pos = center
|embed = yes
|filename = Joni Ernst on Federal Regualtions.ogg
|title = Ernst's voice
|type = speech
|description = Ernst on federal regulations<br/>Recorded March 7, 2023}}
}} }}
'''Joni Ernst''' (born July 1, 1970) is an American politician who serves as a ] member of the ], and the Republican nominee for the ] in November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joni Ernst wins Iowa GOP U.S. Senate race|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/06/03/joni-ernst-victory/9939911/|publisher=The Des Moines Register|accessdate=4 June 2014}}</ref> She is also a ] in the ]. '''Joni Kay Ernst''' (née '''Culver'''; born July 1, 1970)<ref name="Iowa State University">{{cite web |last1=Ernst |first1=Gail |title=Joni Kay Ernst – Plaza of Heroines at Iowa State University |url=http://www.las.iastate.edu/archive/plaza/one_name.php?id=378|access-date=November 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220219/http://www.las.iastate.edu/archive/plaza/one_name.php?id=378 |url-status=dead}}</ref> is an American politician and former military officer serving since 2015 as the ] ] from ].<ref>{{cite web |first=Jennifer |last=Jacobs |title=Joni Ernst wins Iowa GOP U.S. Senate race |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/06/03/joni-ernst-victory/9939911/ |newspaper=] |date=June 3, 2014 |access-date=June 4, 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140604031755/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/06/03/joni-ernst-victory/9939911/ |archive-date=June 4, 2014}}</ref> A member of the ], she previously served in the ] from 2011 to 2014 and as auditor of ] from 2004 to 2011. As Chair of the ] since 2023, after having been vice chair of the ] since 2019, Ernst is the fourth-ranking Republican in the Senate.
Among her policy positions, Ernst supports a ], ], ], ] and protection of social security for seniors, and federal ]. She opposes ], a ], and ].


After graduating from ], Ernst joined the ].<ref name="abcnews.go.com" /> She served in the ] from 1993 to 2015, retiring as a ].<ref name=retired>{{cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Jennifer |title=Joni Ernst retires from the military |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2015/12/01/joni-ernst-retires-from-the-military/76608022 |access-date=December 3, 2015 |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> During the ], she served as the commanding officer of the 1168th Transportation Company in Kuwait and later commanded the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at ], the ]'s largest battalion.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 3, 2015 |title=First Female Veteran, Joni Ernst, Sworn into U.S. Senate |url=https://centennial.legion.org/iowa/postdepartment-headquarters/2015/01/03/first-female-veteran-joni-ernst-sworn-us-senate |work=centennial.legion.org |publisher=American Legion |location=Indianapolis, IN |access-date=September 21, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Noble">{{cite web |last=Noble |first=Jason |date=April 5, 2015 |title=Examining Ernst's Military Credentials |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113850990/examining |work=The Des Moines Register |location=Des Moines, IA |pages=A1, |via=]}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> After having been ] Auditor and serving in the Iowa State Senate, Ernst was elected to the U.S. Senate in ]. She was the first ] to win the seat since ]. She was thought to be a possible ] for ] during his ]. She was reelected in ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-03|title=Iowa GOP Sen. Ernst elected to 2nd term after heated race|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-senate-elections-iowa-elections-1a4b6c7a8230002ee37d94aa265c6be3|access-date=2022-01-19|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref>
==Early life and career==
Ernst is the daughter of Richard and Marilyn Culver.<ref name=20140616DK>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/16/1307297/-Does-Joni-Ernst-Support-Traditional-Divorce |title=Does Joni Ernst Support Traditional Divorce? |author=pseudonymous |date=June 16, 2014 |publisher=] |accessdate=2014-07-13}}</ref>
Born and raised in ], she was ] of her class at Stanton High School.<ref name=PlazaOfHeroines>{{cite web |url=http://www.las.iastate.edu/archive/plaza/one_name.php?id=378 |title=Joni Kay Ernst |author=Gail Ernst |date=May 16, 1994 |accessdate=2014-07-13}}</ref>
Ernst earned a Bachelor of Science degree from ] and a ] degree from ].<ref name="PlazaOfHeroines"/><ref name=20101118IR>{{cite news |url=http://theiowarepublican.com/2010/joni-ernst-announces-bid-for-kim-reynolds-iowa-senate-seat/ |title=Joni Ernst Announces bid for Kim Reynolds Iowa Senate Seat |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=November 18, 2010 |newspaper=The Iowa Republican |publisher=] |accessdate=2014-07-13}}</ref> While in college, Ernst took part in an agricultural exchange to the Soviet Union.<ref name=cbs/>


Ernst opposes legalizing ], and has supported a ] amendment and introduced legislation to defund ]. She opposes the ] and has called for reforms to ], ], and ]. During the ], she expressed concern about, although not opposition to, Trump's ] and criticized some aspects of his foreign policy. Ernst voted for the ]. While supporting both Trump's nominees for ], she expressed concern over their commitment to the ]. She ] the ]. Ernst has opposed a ] and advocated for the elimination of federal departments such as the ], ] and the ]. She is considered ] on foreign policy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jonathan |date=July 17, 2024 |title='Scared to Death': GOP Security Hawks Slam Vance Selection |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/07/17/jd-vance-reagan-gop-foreign-policy-00168862 |website=]}}</ref>
===Military career===
Ernst has served a combined 21 years in the ] and the ]. She spent 14 months mobilized and overseas in ] from 2003-2004 as a company commander at the start of ].<ref name=20101118IR /><ref name="JoniErnst">
{{cite web |url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/legislator.aspx?GA=85&PID=11232 |title=The Iowa Legislature: Senator Joni Ernst |accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="votesmart">{{cite web |url=http://www.joniernst.com/ |title=Joni Ernst: Iowa Senate |accessdate=March 3, 2011}}</ref> Her unit was responsible for running logistical convoys in Kuwait and into southern Iraq. A Lieutenant Colonel, Ernst currently commands the largest battalion in the ].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jacobs|first1=Jennifer|title=Republican Joni Ernst joins U.S. Senate race|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/07/10/republican-joni-ernst-joins-u-s-senate-race/article|accessdate=14 July 2014|publisher=Des Moines Register|date=10 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jacobs|first1=Jennifer|title=Ernst mobilizes to crash Washington's 'boys club'|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/05/30/ernst-mobilizes-crash-washington-boys-club/9754995/|accessdate=14 July 2014|publisher=Des Moines Register|date=29 May 2014}}</ref>


== Early life and career ==
===Iowa State Senate===
Ernst was born Joni Kay Culver in ], the daughter of Marilyn and Richard Culver. She was ] of her class at ] High School.<ref name=PlazaOfHeroines>{{cite web |url=http://www.las.iastate.edu/archive/plaza/one_name.php?id=378 |title=Joni Kay Ernst |first=Gail |last=Ernst |date=May 16, 1994 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220219/http://www.las.iastate.edu/archive/plaza/one_name.php?id=378 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from ] in 1992,<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet the Candidate: Iowa's U.S. Senate seat: Joni Ernst, Republican|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/05/09/iowa-election-joni-ernst-bio-issues/8929395/|work=Des Moines Register|access-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref> and a ] degree from ] in 1995.<ref name=20101118IR>{{cite news |url=http://theiowarepublican.com/2010/joni-ernst-announces-bid-for-kim-reynolds-iowa-senate-seat/ |title=Joni Ernst Announces bid for Kim Reynolds Iowa Senate Seat |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=November 18, 2010 |newspaper=The Iowa Republican |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115181318/http://theiowarepublican.com/2010/joni-ernst-announces-bid-for-kim-reynolds-iowa-senate-seat/ |archive-date=January 15, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="PlazaOfHeroines"/> In college, she took part in an agricultural exchange to the ].<ref name=cbs/>
Ernst was elected the ] Auditor in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.<ref name=20101118IR /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130710/NEWS/307109852|title=Iowa GOP lawmaker Joni Ernst enters 2014 Senate race|publisher=omaha.com|date=July 10, 2013|accessdate=April 24, 2014}}</ref>


=== Military career ===
Ernst was elected to the ] in a special election in 2011 and re-elected in 2012. She represents District 12, which serves the southwest part of the state.<ref name="JoniErnst"/><ref name="votesmart"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=128583|title=Senator Joni Ernst (IA)|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=March 3, 2011}}</ref><ref name="JoniErnstBio">, ''Joni Ernst for Iowa''</ref>
Ernst joined Iowa State University's ] program when she was 20, and the ] after graduating.<ref name="abcnews.go.com"/> She served as a ] and attained the rank of ] in the ]. In 2003–2004, she spent 12 months in ] as commander of the 1168th Transportation Company, during the ].<ref name="20101118IR" /><ref name="JoniErnst">
{{cite web|url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/legislator.aspx?GA=85&PID=11232|title=The Iowa Legislature: Senator Joni Ernst|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918014143/https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/legislator.aspx?GA=85&PID=11232|archive-date=September 18, 2013|access-date=May 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="votesmart">{{cite web|url=https://joniernst.com/ |title=Joni Ernst: Iowa Senate |work=joniernst.com |access-date=March 3, 2011}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/2014/11/04/joni-ernst-wins-iowa-us-senate-seat/18490851/|title=Joni Ernst wins Iowa U.S. Senate seat|author=Jacobs, Jennifer|newspaper=]|date=November 4, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/iowa-elects-republican-ernst-to-senate-over-braley/article_d95d16a4-644b-11e4-8b55-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Joni Ernst's Senate victory makes her first woman to represent Iowa in Congress|date=November 5, 2014 |publisher=Omaha.com|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref> Near the end of her career, she served as the commanding officer of the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at ], the ]'s largest battalion.<ref name=":4">{{cite news|last1=Jacobs|first1=Jennifer|title=Republican Joni Ernst joins U.S. Senate race|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/07/10/republican-joni-ernst-joins-u-s-senate-race/article|access-date=July 14, 2014|newspaper=]|date=July 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130711132953/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/07/10/republican-joni-ernst-joins-u-s-senate-race/article|archive-date=July 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news|last1=Jacobs|first1=Jennifer|title=Ernst mobilizes to crash Washington's 'boys club'|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/05/30/ernst-mobilizes-crash-washington-boys-club/9754995/|access-date=July 14, 2014|newspaper=]|date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Upon her retirement from the military in 2015, Ernst had served 23 years in the ] and the ].<ref name="retired" /> Her awards included the ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Noble"/>


In an interview with '']'' in 2014, Ernst said that she was sexually harassed in the military, saying, "I had comments, passes, things like that" that she was able to stop, and said she would support removing investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases from the chain of command.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Newton-Small|first1=Jay|title=Ernst Says She Was Sexually Harassed in the Military|url=https://time.com/3119176/ernst-says-she-was-sexually-harassed-in-the-military/|magazine=Time|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref>
====Committees====
Ernst serves on the following Iowa State Senate committees:<ref>{{cite web|title=Senator Joni K. Ernst|url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=85&personID=9761|publisher=Iowa Legislature|accessdate=24 July 2014}}</ref>
*Education (Ranking Member)
*Appropriations
*Health and Human Services
*Rules and Administration
*Veterans Affairs


=== Iowa politics===
==Political positions==
Ernst was elected ] Auditor in 2004 and reelected in 2008.<ref name=20101118IR /><ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20130710%2FNEWS%2F307109852|title=Iowa GOP lawmaker Joni Ernst enters 2014 Senate race|website=omaha.com|date=July 10, 2013|access-date=April 24, 2014|archive-date=April 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424125658/http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20130710%2FNEWS%2F307109852|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was elected to the ] in a special election in 2011 and reelected in 2012. She represented District 12, in southwestern Iowa.<ref name="JoniErnst"/><ref name="votesmart"/><ref name=":7">{{cite web |title=Senator Joni Ernst (IA) |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/128583/joni-ernst |access-date=December 1, 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="JoniErnstBio">{{cite web |url=http://www.joniforiowa.com/bio/ |title=About Joni |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404000116/http://www.joniforiowa.com/bio/ |archive-date=April 4, 2014 |work=Joni Ernst for Iowa }}</ref>
===Constitutional and federal issues===
Ernst has proposed eliminating the ], the ], and the ] as a means of cutting federal spending. She has advocated eliminating the Department of Education "not just because it would save taxpayer dollars, but because I do believe our children are better educated when it's coming from the state."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ernst calls for elimination of IRS, Dept. of Education and EPA|url=http://www.iptv.org/iowapress/story.cfm/story/11721/ip_20140424_4131_ernst_cutting_spending|publisher=Iowa Public Television|accessdate=29 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Does Joni Ernst want to abolish the Education Department and the EPA?|url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/jun/27/league-conservation-voters/does-joni-ernst-want-abolish-education-department-/|publisher=PolitiFact}}</ref>


Following her election to the U.S. Senate, Ernst resigned from the Iowa State Senate, effective November 28, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ernst Resigns From Iowa Senate, Special Election Announced|url=http://whotv.com/2014/12/01/ernst-resigns-from-iowa-senate-special-election-announced/|website=WHO-TV|date=December 1, 2014|access-date=December 3, 2014}}</ref>
Ernst has expressed her support for allowing law-abiding citizens to "freely carry" weapons but abide by rules against carrying in public buildings like schools.<ref name=demoines2405098/> In February 2013, Ernst co-sponsored a resolution addressing "the Iowa General Assembly's refusal to recognize or support any statutes, presidential directives, or other regulations and proclamations which conflict with the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and which are expressly preempted by the rulings of the United States Supreme Court”.<ref name=HuffPo072904>{{cite web|last1=Bobic|first1=Igor|title=Joni Ernst Has A History Of Advocating Nullification Of Federal Laws|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/29/joni-ernst-nullification_n_5631097.html?utm_hp_ref=politics|publisher=The Huffington Post|accessdate=30 July 2014|date=29 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Senate Joint Resolution SJR7|url=http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&ga=85&hbill=SJR7|publisher=The Ioaw Legislature|accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref> She has also received an "A" rating from the ] for her support of gun-rights issues.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 26, 2014 |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140326/NEWS09/303260074/Sarah-Palin-endorses-Joni-Ernst-in-Iowa-U-S-Senate-race |title=Sirens sound across Iowa as Sarah Palin endorses Joni Ernst |publisher=The Des Moines Register |accessdate=April 16, 2014}}</ref>


== U.S. Senate ==
As an Iowa state senator, Ernst co-sponsored resolutions concerning state ] of federal law. One such bill asserted that Iowa could ignore any federal laws which "are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment," while another "urg the nullification" of certain EPA regulations related to coal-fired electricity plants.<ref name="dmr-null">{{cite news | work = Des Moines Register | url = http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/07/30/ernst-braley-nullification/13358787/ | title = Ernst campaign says she doesn't support nullification | date = July 30, 2014 | first = Jennifer | last = Jacobs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Senate Resolution SC3|url=http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&ga=84&hbill=SCR3|publisher=The Iowa Legislature|accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref> In a September 2013 forum held by the ], Ernst said Congress shouldn't bother to pass laws "that the states would consider nullifying", referring to what she describes as "200-plus years of federal legislators going against the Tenth Amendment's states' rights."<ref name=UPI20140728>{{cite web|last1=Levy|first1=Gabrielle|title=Iowa GOP nominee says states can nullify federal laws|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014/07/28/Iowa-GOP-nominee-says-states-can-nullify-federal-laws/4451406582369/#ixzz38oOQmF00|publisher=UPI|accessdate=29 July 2014|date=28 July 2014}}</ref> Courts have consistently ruled that nullification is unconstitutional.<ref name="UPI20140728"/> During the 2014 Senatorial general election, Ernst's supporters argued that she did not support nullification, and that "her comments on it were about encouraging Iowans to send her to Washington to pass good laws."<ref name="dmr-null"/>


===Elections===
When asked at a ] candidate forum in January 2014, about the Supreme Court case about the constitutionality of President ]'s recess appointments, she said that Obama had "become a dictator",<ref name="yn-impeach">{{cite news | publisher = Yahoo! News | url = http://news.yahoo.com/joni-ernst-seeks-to-walk-back-talk-of-impeaching-obama-015747572.html | title = Joni Ernst seeks to walk back talk of impeaching Obama | first = Meredith | last = Shiner | date = July 8, 2014}}</ref> and that if he acted unconstitutionally, he should face the proper repercussions as determined by Congress, "whether that's removal from office, whether that's impeachment." When the tape of that event was published in August 2014 by Yahoo News, her spokeswoman said that "If any president oversteps their bounds, there are procedures in place for Congress and the American people to hold him or her accountable. Impeachment is a strong word and should not be thrown around lightly.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shinner|first1=Meredith|title=Joni Ernst: ‘Impeachment’ of Obama should be on the table|url=http://news.yahoo.com/joni-ernst---impeachment--of-obama-should-be-on-the-table-204439051.html|publisher=Yahoo News|accessdate=16 August 2014}}</ref>


===Economic issues=== ==== 2014 ====
{{main|2014 United States Senate election in Iowa}}
Ernst opposes the ], and instead argues that states should have sole authority to set their own minimum wages.<ref name="ipr-ernst">{{cite web | publisher = Iowa Public Radio | url = http://iowapublicradio.org/post/candidate-profile-joni-ernst | title = Candidate Profile: Joni Ernst | date = June 1, 2014 | first = Charity | last = Nebbe |author2=Katherine Perkins }}</ref> In an August 2014 interview with the ''Mason City Globe-Gazette'', Ernst stated: "For the federal government to set the minimum wage for all 50 states is ridiculous."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globegazette.com/news/local/ernst-let-states-set-minimum-wage/article_71cc6cd7-6667-5f42-93c0-a6a0bc3f4fd4.html|title=Ernst: Let states set minimum wage|work=Mason City Globe-Gazette|accessdate=September 30, 2014 | date = August 25, 2014 | first = John | last = Skipper}}</ref> She has pointed to differences in the ] in various states, and has said: "I think $7.25 is appropriate for Iowa, but that's up for our state legislators to decide, and I'm willing to have those discussions at the state level."<ref name="pf-minimum">{{cite web | publisher = ] | title = U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst does not support a national minimum wage, says her opponent | url = http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/aug/01/bruce-braley/iowa-senate-candidate-rep-bruce-braley-says-joni-e/ | first = Molly | last = O'Connor | date = August 1, 2014}}</ref> In response to a report by the ] report which projected that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour would cost 500,000 jobs, but would lift 900,000 people out of poverty, Ernst stated that "government and government-mandated wage increases are not the solution&mdash;especially when doing so comes at the expense of the jobs of hard working Americans."<ref>{{cite web|last=Tibbetts|first=Ed|title=Report: Minimum wage boost would cost jobs, lower poverty|url=http://qctimes.com/news/local/government-and-politics/report-minimum-wage-boost-would-cost-jobs-lower-poverty/article_76d256ab-f8f4-5889-a67a-822892bd14ca.html|publisher=The Quad-City Times| date = February 18, 2014 | first = Ed | last = Tibbetts}}</ref>
]]]


In July 2013, Ernst announced that she would seek the Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Senator ]. ] ] endorsed her in October 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Henderson |first=O. Kay |title=Lieutenant Governor Reynolds endorses Ernst in U.S. Senate race |url=http://www.radioiowa.com/2013/10/07/lieutenant-governor-reynolds-endorses-ernst-in-u-s-senate-race/ |access-date=January 23, 2014 |publisher=Radio Iowa |date=October 7, 2013}}</ref> In March 2014, Ernst was endorsed by former ] ] and former ] ],<ref>{{cite web|author=Joseph, Cameron|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/201798-palin-endorses-joni-ernst-in-iowa/|title=Palin endorses Joni Ernst in Iowa Senate race|work=The Hill|date=March 26, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Sullivan>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/03/26/sarah-palin-endorses-joni-ernst-in-iowa-senate-race/ | title=Sarah Palin endorses Joni Ernst in Iowa Senate race | newspaper=] | date=March 26, 2014 | access-date=October 26, 2014 | author=Sullivan, Sean}}</ref> to whom she has drawn comparisons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Allie |title=Senate Candidate Joni Ernst's Sarah Palin Schtick is Now Beyond Parody |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/05/senate-candidate-joni-ernsts-sarah-palin-schtick-is-now-beyond-parody/361702/ |website=] |date=5 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Joni Ernst: is this pig-castrating gun-lover the new Sarah Palin? |url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/people/58605/joni-ernst-is-this-pig-castrating-gun-lover-the-new-sarah-palin |website=] |language=en |date=May 20, 2014}}</ref> In May 2014, the ], a lobbying group, endorsed her.<ref name=focused /><ref>{{cite news |title=National business group picks Joni Ernst over GOP rivals in Iowa U.S. Senate race |author=Jacobs, Jennifer|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/13/joni-ernst-chamber-endorsement/9001911/ |access-date=May 13, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The magic number for the Republican Party on Tuesday is 35 percent. And Joni Ernst is right there |author=Sullivan, Sean|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/06/02/the-magic-number-for-the-republican-party-on-tuesday-is-35-percent-and-joni-ernst-is-right-there/ |access-date=June 2, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 2, 2014}}</ref>
During the 2013 legislative session, Ernst worked on legislation which reduced property taxes in Iowa.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 27, 2013 |url=http://www.newtondailynews.com/2013/11/26/ernst-payton-speak-at-local-gop-meeting/a8bhvwe/ |title=Ernst, Payton speak at local GOP meeting |publisher=Newton Daily News |accessdate=April 10, 2014}}</ref> She supports a "fairer, flatter, and simpler" federal tax code.<ref name=demoines2405098/>


Little known at the start of her campaign, Ernst was boosted in the Republican primary by ] with "hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of television ads and tens of thousands of dollars in direct campaign contributions".<ref name=Politico>{{cite web |last1=Vogel |first1=Kenneth P. |title=How the Kochs launched Joni Ernst |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/the-kochs-vs-the-gop-215672 |website=] |language=en |date=November 12, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Nation>{{cite web |last1=Nichols |first1=John |title=Joni Ernst Will Provide a Koch Brothers Rebuttal to the State of the Union |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/joni-ernst-will-provide-koch-brothers-rebuttal-state-union/ |website=] |date=20 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=ICN/> A Koch-backed group launched an "advertising blitz", including a $257,000 campaign against Ernst's biggest Republican rival, oil executive Mark Jacobs, who had supported a proposal to limit ] that ] opposed.<ref name=Politico/> Ernst privately credited the Kochs and their allies for having "really started my trajectory" after her primary victory.<ref name=Politico/><ref name=Nation/>
In a May 2014 interview with '']'', Ernst expressed her support for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget, as well as a reduction in spending on ] and discretionary spending.<ref name=demoines2405098/> She has also expressed support for a ] for young workers<ref name=focused/> while protecting Social Security for seniors and those nearing retirement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Factcheck.org: Democrats misrepresent Joni Ernst's position on Social Security|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/07/factcheck-says-democrats-misrepresent-ernst-social-security-position/16882233/|publisher=The Des Moines Register|accessdate=25 October 2014}}</ref>


Ernst received widespread attention for a campaign advertisement she released in March 2014, in which she made a ] comparison between her experience ] pigs and her ability to "cut pork" in Congress.<ref name="pork">{{cite news |title=Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred |url=https://time.com/36955/iowa-senate-candidate-says-castration-gives-her-conservative-cred/ |author=Scherer, Michael|access-date=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=In Politics, Hog Castration Cuts Through The Ad Clutter |author=James, Frank|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/03/28/295949340/in-politics-hog-castration-cuts-through-the-ad-clutter |access-date=April 15, 2014 |publisher=NPR |date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> Many found the ad humorous,<ref name="pork"/><ref>{{cite news |title=How did John Boehner's opponent get his campaign ad to go viral? Humor. (+video) |author=Feldmann, Linda|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2014/0415/How-did-John-Boehner-s-opponent-get-his-campaign-ad-to-go-viral-Humor.-video |access-date=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> and it was spoofed by late-night comedians, including ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jimmy Fallon cringes at Joni Ernst's hog-castration ad |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/25/jimmy-fallon-cringes-at-joni-ernsts-hog-castration-ad/6897513/|author=Jacobs, Jennifer|access-date=April 19, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Colbert: I'm pulling for Joni Ernst 'whole hog, or whatever's left' |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/27/colbert-im-pulling-for-joni-ernst-whole-hog-or-whatevers-left/6955697/ |access-date=April 15, 2014 |author=Jacobs, Jennifer|newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name=hogs>{{cite news |title=How Joni Ernst's ad about 'castrating hogs' transformed Iowa's U.S. Senate race |first1=Philip|last1=Rucker|first2=Dan|last2=Balz|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-joni-ernsts-ad-about-castrating-hogs-transformed-iowas-us-senate-race/2014/05/11/c02d1804-d85b-11e3-95d3-3bcd77cd4e11_story.html |access-date=May 15, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst 'Castrating Hogs' Ad: Republican Iowa Senate Candidate Stirs Controversy With Offbeat Campaign Spot |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/joni-ernst-castrating-hogs-ad-republican-iowa-senate-candidate-stirs-controversy-offbeat-campaign |author=Koplowitz, Howard|date=March 25, 2014|access-date=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=International Business Times}}</ref> Before the ad aired, Ernst had struggled to raise money,<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses 'hog castrator' Jodi Ernst in Iowa Senate race |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sarah-palin-endorses-hog-castrator-jodi-ernst-in-iowa-senate-race/ |access-date=April 20, 2014 |work=CBS News|author=Conroy, Scott |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Fix's fourth-quarter fundraising winners and losers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/02/03/the-fixs-fourth-quarter-fundraising-winners-and-losers/ |access-date=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Sullivan, Sean |date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> and two polls of the Republican primary taken in February 2014 had shown her in second place, several points behind Mark Jacobs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses 'pork-cutting' Joni Ernst in Iowa |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/sarah-palin-endorses-joni-ernst-iowa-105059.html |access-date=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=] |last=Kopan |first=Tal |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Aims to Be Iowa's First Female Senator |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/03/09/ernst_aims_to_be_iowas_first_female_senator_121849.html |access-date=April 18, 2014 |author=Gonzales, Jose R.|newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=March 9, 2014}}</ref> After it aired, a ] poll in early April showed her with a narrow lead and a ] poll showed her essentially tied with Jacobs.<ref name=hogs/><ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Narrowly Leads GOP Field in Iowa Senate Race |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/04/09/ernst_narrowly_leads_gop_field_in_iowa_senate_race_122223.html |last=O'Neal |first=Adam |access-date=April 9, 2014 |newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=April 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Poll: Joni Ernst Takes Lead in Iowa GOP Senate Primary |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/poll-joni-ernst-takes-lead-iowa-gop-senate-primary_786717.html |first=John |last=McCormack |url-status=dead |access-date=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=Weekly Standard |date=April 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411213739/http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/poll-joni-ernst-takes-lead-iowa-gop-senate-primary_786717.html |archive-date=April 11, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jacobs, Ernst tied in inaugural Loras Poll |url=http://www.thonline.com/blogs/tri_state_politics/article_a13f2644-c3f2-11e3-a183-001a4bcf6878.html |access-date=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=TH Online |date=April 14, 2014}}</ref> By May, she was being described in the media as the "strong front-runner".<ref name=focused/>
===Environmental issues===
On the subject of ], Ernst has stated: "I don’t know the science behind climate change, I can't say one way or another what is the direct impact from whether it's manmade or not", and believes that any regulatory role by the government to address it needs to be "very small".<ref name=demoines2405098/><ref name="politico-debate">{{cite news | work = Politico | url = http://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/bruce-braley-joni-ernst-debate-2014-iowa-senate-elections-111409.html | title = Bruce Braley, Joni Ernst tear into each other | date = September 28, 2014 | first = James | last = Hohmann}}</ref><ref name="ipr-debate">{{cite web | publisher = Iowa Public Radio | title = Braley, Ernst Differ in First U.S. Senate Debate | url = http://iowapublicradio.org/post/braley-ernst-differ-first-us-senate-debate | first = Clay | last = Masters | date = September 29, 2014}}</ref> Ernst has proposed eliminating the ] and criticized its interpretation of the ] as applied to farms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ernst takes on EPA Clean Water Act plan|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/business/agriculture/ernst-takes-on-epa-clean-water-act-plan/article_d09771f0-7541-5ba9-92b9-0b0c40804f45.html|publisher=Sioux City Journal| date = August 12, 2014 | first = Ed | last = Tibbetts}}</ref> In a Republican primary debate in May 2014, Ernst said she would have voted against the ] and stated her view that the ] is damaging for business.<ref name=focused>{{cite web |title=Joni Ernst focused on primary in final Iowa debate |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/joni-ernst-election-iowa-debate-107237.html |publisher=Politico |date=May 29, 2014 |accessdate=June 2, 2014 |author=James Hohmann}}</ref> Ernst has expressed her opposition to ].<ref name=demoines2405098/>


At a January 2014 GOP forum in ], Ernst warned that ], a 1992 ] voluntary action plan for sustainable development, could force Iowa farmers off their land, dictate what cities Iowans must live in, and control how Iowa citizens travel from place to place.<ref name="yahoo-21">{{cite web|last1=Shiner|first1=Meredith|title=Will Joni Ernst’s flirtations with the political fringe haunt her in November?|url=http://news.yahoo.com/will-joni-ernst-s-flirtations-with-the-political-fringe-haunt-her-in-november-223054974.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory|publisher=Yahoo News|date = August 13, 2014}}</ref> During the general-election campaign, Ernst moderated her tone, saying: "I don’t think that the U.N. Agenda 21 is a threat to Iowa farmers...&nbsp;I think there are a lot of people that follow that issue in Iowa. It may be something that is very important to them, but I think Iowans are very smart and that we have a great legislature here, we have a very intelligent governor, and I think that we will protect Iowans."<ref name="yahoo-21"/> During the primary, Ernst promoted a ] that a ] ] plan, ], could lead to farmers being forced off their land and made to live in cities, but a few months later she said she did not consider the plan a "threat".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shiner |first1=Meredith |title=Will Joni Ernst's flirtations with the political fringe haunt her in November? |url=https://news.yahoo.com/will-joni-ernst-s-flirtations-with-the-political-fringe-haunt-her-in-november-223054974.html |website=] |date=August 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Tim |title=How does this GOP Senate candidate keep getting away with such terrible gaffes? |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/09/joni-ernst-bruce-braley-agenda-21-conspiracy-theory/ |website=] |date=September 25, 2014}}</ref>

In a May 2014 '']'' interview, Ernst said she was "extremely offended" by comments Jacobs made characterizing her as ] due to missing over 100 votes in the legislative session.<ref name=demoines2405098>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst: I was 'extremely offended' by AWOL attack |last=Noble |first=Jason |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/09/joni-ernst-us-senate-des-moines-register-editorial-board/8901677/ |access-date=May 14, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 9, 2014}}</ref> Previously, in '']'', Ernst cited her National Guard duty to rebuff criticism about her missing votes,<ref name=gazette20140414>{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/few-of-ernsts-missed-iowa-senate-votes-due-to-national-guard-duty/ |title=Few of Ernst's missed Iowa Senate votes due to National Guard Duty |work=] |last=Morelli |first=B.A.|date=April 14, 2014 |access-date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> but ''The Gazette'' found that only 12 of the 117 missed votes came on days when she was on duty. The other 105 missed votes represented 57% of the Iowa Senate votes that session. Ernst's spokesman said she had a better than 90% voting record during her Senate career and that she had never claimed Guard service was the only reason she had missed votes.<ref name="gazette20140414"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.com/2014/03/05/iowa-sen-ernst-juggles-busy-schedule-with-senate-work/ |title=Iowa Sen. Ernst juggles busy schedule with Senate work |last=Boshart |first=Rod |work=] |date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=April 15, 2014}}</ref>

In July, Ernst delivered the Republican Party's weekly address, criticizing a health care scandal at the ] and calling for a balanced budget and reform of Social Security and Medicare.<ref name=cbs>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Jake |title=GOP Senate candidate: Reform the VA, balance the budget|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-senate-candidate-joni-ernst-reform-the-va-balance-the-budget/ |access-date=August 28, 2014 |work=CBS News |date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> Later that month, she suspended her campaign while participating in two weeks of National Guard duty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Jennifer |title=Joni Ernst resumes campaign after 2 weeks of guard duty |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/07/28/joni-ernst-first-campaign-event-after-two-weeks-on-duty/13280727/ |access-date=August 28, 2014|newspaper=Des Moines Register|date=July 28, 2014}}</ref>

In endorsing her for the Republican primary nomination, the '']'' wrote: "Ernst is a smart, well-prepared candidate who can wrestle with the details of public policy from a conservative perspective without seeming inflexible."<ref name=DesMoinesEditorial>{{cite web |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/05/17/joni-ernst-senate-register-editorial-board-endorsement/9231191/ |title=The Register's Editorial: Joni Ernst offers Iowans strong credentials |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 17, 2014 |access-date=21 September 2023 }}</ref> On October 23, Ernst canceled a scheduled meeting with the ''Des Moines Register'''s editorial board, citing the paper's negative editorials about her.<ref>{{cite news|author=Jacobs, Jennifer|title=Ernst cancels meeting with Register's editorial board|newspaper=Des Moines Register|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/2014/10/23/ernst-declines-meeting-with-register-editorial-board/17782955/|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> The editorial board ultimately endorsed Braley, citing Ernst's calls to abolish the ], the ], and the ], as well as her support for partially privatizing ] and overturning the ].<ref name="KCCI-141025">{{cite web|date=October 25, 2014|title=The Register's Editorial announces candidate endorsements|url=http://www.kcci.com/politics/the-registers-editorial-announces-candidate-endorsements/29342156|access-date=October 26, 2014|work=KCCI News}}</ref><ref name="DMR-EdBoard">{{cite web|date=October 26, 2014|title=Endorsement: Bruce Braley is better choice|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/endorsement/2014/10/25/bruce-braley-endorsement-us-senate-better-choice/17907819/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=|access-date=October 26, 2014|work=]|publisher=Editorial Board}}</ref>

In the 2014 election, Ernst received $17,552,085 in "]", which constituted 74% of non-party outside spending in her support;<ref>{{cite web |title=Outside Spending and Dark Money in Toss-Up Senate Races: Post-Election Update |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/outside-spending-and-dark-money-toss-senate-races-post-election-update |author=Vandewalker, Ian|website=www.brennancenter.org |date=November 10, 2014|access-date=21 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> she had a $14 million outside spending advantage over her opponent.<ref name=Nation/> In an October 2014 debate, Ernst said she “believe in political free speech” and did not see a need to change campaign finance laws.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayworth |first1=Bret |title=Braley, Ernst agree on 1 thing — negative political ads are grating |url=https://qctimes.com/news/local/braley-ernst-meet-in-final-debate/article_c6cb9bc4-86b1-584c-9572-be2650ff6d01.html |website=] |date=October 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406092937/https://qctimes.com/news/local/braley-ernst-meet-in-final-debate/article_c6cb9bc4-86b1-584c-9572-be2650ff6d01.html |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

Ernst won the 2014 Senate race, 52.2% to 43.7%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/04/iowa-senate-election-results_n_5858508.html|title=Iowa Senate Election Results: Joni Ernst Wins Race Against Bruce Braley|work=The Huffington Post|author=Lachman, Samantha|date=November 4, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref> She is the first woman elected to represent Iowa in either house of Congress.<ref name="divorce"/>

==== 2020 ====
{{main|2020 United States Senate election in Iowa}}
Ernst ran for reelection in 2020. She was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced Democratic nominee ], a businesswoman and former congressional candidate, in the general election. Ernst was seen as the strong favorite and eventually defeated her opponent, 52% to 45%.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Erin |title=U.S. Senate race sets $234 million record in Iowa |url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/greenfield-ernst-senate-money-election-20201101 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Broadwater|first=Luke|date=2020-11-04|title=Joni Ernst Wins in Iowa, Frustrating Democrats' Push for Senate Majority|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/iowa-joni-ernst.html|access-date=2020-11-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zhou |first1=Li |title=Theresa Greenfield has won the Democratic Senate primary in Iowa |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/6/2/21278481/theresa-greenfield-wins-iowa-senate-primary-joni-ernst |access-date=5 June 2020 |publisher=Vox |date=June 2, 2020}}</ref>

In December 2019, the ] reported that Ernst's campaign had closely coordinated with a political nonprofit founded by a longtime consultant; such groups are tax-exempt and not required to disclose donors, but cannot make political campaigning their primary purpose and must separate their activities from candidates they support.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Slodysko |first1=Brian |title='Dark money' ties raise questions for Sen. Joni Ernst |url=https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/12/06/dark-money-ties-raise-questions-sen-joni-ernst/4352359002/ |website=] |agency=] |date=December 6, 2019}}</ref> An Ernst campaign adviser said that any implication they had acted outside the "spirit of the law" was "fake news". After the article's publication, the nonpartisan ] filed a complaint with the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Slodysko |first1=Brian |title=Group backing Iowa's Ernst hit with complaint after AP story |url=https://www.ap.org/ap-in-the-news/2019/group-backing-iowa-s-ernst-hit-with-complaint-after-ap-story |website=] |language=en |date=December 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pitt |first1=David |title=Watchdog files lawsuit against group backing Iowa Sen. Ernst |url=https://apnews.com/article/campaign-finance-iowa-lawsuits-washington-elections-d0a5634b41087062e61832392274c213 |website=] |date=February 16, 2021}}</ref>

=== Tenure ===
] in January 2016]]

Ernst was sworn into the United States Senate on January 3, 2015, and thus became Iowa's first new U.S. senator since Tom Harkin in 1985.<ref name="Ernst SoU">{{cite news|title=Ernst to deliver GOP State of the Union rebuttal|newspaper=]|last=Noble|first=Jason|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=January 15, 2015|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/15/joni-ernst-state-union-rebuttal-sotu/21816953/}}</ref> She delivered the official Republican response to the ] on January 20.<ref name="Ernst SoU" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Seung Min |date=January 20, 2015 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/state-of-the-union-republican-response-joni-ernst-114409 |title=Joni Ernst's Response: Congress Is 'Back to Work' |work=] |access-date=January 21, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/us/politics/republican-response-to-obamas-2015-state-of-the-union-address.html |title=Transcript of Republican Response to 2015 State of the Union Address |work=] |date=January 20, 2015 |quote=Senator Joni Ernst, the newly elected Republican from Iowa, gave the official G.O.P. response to President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday. }}</ref>

In May 2016, ] put Ernst on his short list of possible ] ]s for ] to become the ].<ref>{{cite news | last = Corey | first = Dan | title = Sen. Ernst talks possible Vice President Run: Potential Donald Trump running mate | url = http://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/sen-ernst-talks-possible-vice-president-run | website = ] | date = May 5, 2016 | access-date = May 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Cillizza | first = Chris | author-link = Chris Cillizza | title = Donald Trump is the presumptive GOP nominee. Here are 5 people who could be his VP. | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/04/29/5-people-donald-trump-could-pick-to-be-his-vice-president/ | newspaper = ] | date = May 3, 2016 | access-date = May 5, 2016}}</ref> Other media outlets also mentioned her as a possible benefit to Trump's campaign.<ref>{{cite news | last = Van Buren | first = Peter | author-link = Peter van Buren | title = Could This Be Donald Trump's Vice Presidential Pick? | url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-van-buren/could-this-be-donald-trump_b_9813978.html | newspaper = ] | date = May 2, 2016 | access-date = May 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Scott | first = Lauren | title = Sen. Joni Ernst responds to rumors of vice president nod | url = http://www.ketv.com/news/sen-joni-ernst-responds-to-rumors-of-vice-president-nod/39379074 | publisher = ] | date = May 4, 2016 | access-date = May 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Bacon | first=Perry Jr. | title = Vice Presidential Picks Could Hold Clues to Strategies for Trump and Clinton | url = http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/vice-presidential-picks-could-hold-clues-strategies-trump-clinton-n562566 | work = ] | date = May 4, 2016 | access-date = May 5, 2016}}</ref> On June 16, Ernst said no one had "reached out" to her about a vice-presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/16/joni-ernst-donald-trump-must-have-his-eyes-set-somebody-else-for-vice-president/85987422/|title=Ernst: Trump 'must have his eyes set on somebody else' for VP|first=Jason|last=Noble|newspaper=Des Moines Register|date=June 16, 2016}}</ref> On July 4, she and Trump met privately.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/us/politics/joni-ernst-trump-vp.html?_r=0|title=Donald Trump Meets With Senator Joni Ernst, a Possible Running Mate|first=Maggie|last=Haberman|authorlink=Maggie Haberman|date=July 4, 2016|newspaper=]|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> Trump selected ] ] of ] on July 15.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/7/14/12189756/donald-trump-mike-pence-vp | title = Donald Trump chooses Mike Pence for VP, undermining everything unique about his campaign |first=Ezra |last=Klein| authorlink=Ezra Klein |work=] | date = July 15, 2016 | access-date = July 15, 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, Ernst and other Republican senators introduced "Sarah's Law" in honor of Sarah Root, a 21-year-old student in Omaha who was killed in a street racing crash earlier that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/22/the-story-of-sarah-root-who-trump-said-was-sacrificed-on-the-altar-of-open-borders/|title=The story of Sarah Root, who Trump said was sacrificed 'on the altar of open borders'|last1=Barbash|first1=Fred|newspaper=]|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref>

]

In 2017, Ernst asked ] nominee ] whether he would pledge to cut wasteful spending and stop ], to which Mattis agreed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/12/senator-ernst-questions-nominee-for-secretary-of-defense/|title=Senator Ernst questions nominee for Secretary of Defense|first=Dar|last=Danielson|website=Radio Iowa|date=January 12, 2017}}</ref>

In March, after photographs of nude female soldiers were posted on ], Ernst said that this "type of activity creates a culture that leads to sexual assault."<ref>{{cite news |date=14 March 2017 |url=https://www.radioiowa.com/2017/03/14/ernst-absolutely-no-excuse-for-posting-naked-photos-of-female-marines/ |title=Ernst: 'absolutely no excuse' for posting naked photos of female Marines |first=O. Kay |last=Henderson |website=Radio Iowa}}</ref> At a press conference two weeks later, she asked Congress to pass a law requiring people to immediately report suspected sexual assault at government facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kwwl.com/story/35017478/2017/03/tuesday/sen-ernst-calls-for-bill-to-protect-athletes-from-sexual-abuse/ |url-status=live |title=Sen. Ernst calls for bill to protect athletes from sexual abuse |first=Scott |last=Albanese |date=March 28, 2017 |work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403112638/https://www.kwwl.com/story/35017478/2017/03/tuesday/sen-ernst-calls-for-bill-to-protect-athletes-from-sexual-abuse/ |archive-date=April 3, 2017 }}</ref>

Ernst was elected vice chair of the ] in November 2018.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last1=Bolton |first1=Alexander |title=McConnell reelected as leader, Thune promoted to whip |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/416616-mcconnell-re-elected-as-leader-thune-promoted-to-whip/ |website=]|date=November 14, 2018|access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref>

] at the White House, 2017]]

On the initiation of the ] in 2019, Ernst became the first female Republican to be appointed to the ], along with ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/423786-senate-gop-names-first-female-members-to-judiciary-panel/|title=Senate GOP names first female members to Judiciary panel|first=Jordain |last=Carney |date=January 3, 2019|newspaper=]}}</ref>

In March 2019, after the ] concluded and Attorney General ] released an ] of Special Counsel ]'s report, Ernst called for a release of ], saying, "as much of the report that can be made public should be".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/03/25/mueller-report-chuck-grassley-joni-ernst-senate-iowa-release-william-barr-investigation-donald-trump/3266661002/|title=Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst call for a full release of the Mueller report findings|first=Robin|last=Opsahl|newspaper=]|date=March 25, 2019}}</ref>

In August 2020, when Iowa had the most new ] infections per capita of any state in the preceding seven days, Ernst repeated a debunked conspiracy theory that the case numbers were greatly inflated and that health care providers might be falsifying them.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gabriel |first1=Trip |title=Joni Ernst, in a Tight Senate Race, Repeats a Debunked Coronavirus Theory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/us/politics/joni-ernst-coronavirus.html |access-date=14 September 2020 |work=] |date=September 2, 2020}}</ref> She later walked back her statements.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Katie |title='So skeptical': Sen. Joni Ernst echoes conspiracy theory questioning coronavirus death count |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/02/coronavirus-joni-ernst-qanon/ |access-date=14 September 2020 |newspaper=] |date=September 2, 2020}}</ref>

After Justice ]'s death in September 2020, Ernst said she supported Trump nominating a new justice before the November presidential election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Arkin |first1=James |title=SCOTUS battle crashes into decisive Senate race in Iowa |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/30/scotus-battle-senate-race-iowa-423430 |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=] |date=September 30, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Eight months before the ], Ernst opposed Senate consideration of ]'s Supreme Court nominee ], saying "the American people deserve to have a say" on a decision that would "impact the course of our country for years to come".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desjardins |first1=Lisa |title=What every Republican senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year |access-date=September 27, 2020 |work=] |date=September 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Villa |first1=Lissandra |title=Here's What GOP Senators Said About the 2016 Supreme Court Vacancy—And What They're Saying Now |url=https://time.com/5892574/senate-republicans-supreme-court-vote/ |magazine=] |date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In 2018, Ernst reiterated that Supreme Court nominees should not be heard during presidential election years, telling the '']'', "It's precedent set. ... So come 2020, if there's an opening, I'm sure you'll remind me of that."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cauterucci|first=Christina|date=October 15, 2020|title=Joni Ernst Hopes Some Performative Feminism Might Save Her Senate Seat|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/10/joni-ernst-performative-feminism.html|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=]|language=en}}</ref>

Ernst was participating in the certification of the ] when Trump supporters ]. She called the storming "a protest turned anarchy" and, citing that she served in the military to defend the right to peacefully protest, "a complete betrayal of those sacred ideals."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grove |first1=Chantelle |title=U.S. Senators, Grassley And Ernst, Denounce Wednesday's Violence But Call For Investigation Into 2020 Election |url=https://www.1380kcim.com/2021/01/07/u-s-senators-grassley-and-ernst-denounce-wednesdays-violence-but-call-for-investigation-into-2020-election/ |access-date=10 January 2021 |work=] |date=7 January 2021}}</ref> When Congress returned to the certification process, Ernst voted to support certification.<ref name="Editorial1">{{cite news |title=Gazette editorial: Iowa Republicans must face a reckoning |url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/staff-editorial/gazette-editorial-iowa-republicans-must-face-a-reckoning-20210108 |access-date=10 January 2021 |work=] |date=8 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> She opposed ], choosing to support a peaceful transfer of power and "healing our nation."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oates |first1=Trevor |title=Rep. Axne will support impeaching President Trump again, Reps. Hinson, Feenstra will not |url=https://kwwl.com/2021/01/08/rep-axne-will-support-impeaching-president-trump-again-reps-hinson-feenstra-will-not/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509161053/https://www.kwwl.com/news/politics/rep-axne-will-support-impeaching-president-trump-again-reps-hinson-feenstra-will-not/article_d540f205-1784-58d7-9d21-dc18ec181057.html |archive-date=9 May 2023 |access-date=10 January 2021 |work=] |date=8 January 2021}}</ref> In response, '']'' editorial board wrote that Ernst and Grassley "must reckon with why they did the wrong thing for so long" regarding their support of Trump during his presidency.<ref name="Editorial1"/>

in a September 2021 ] interview, Ernst accused President ] of overstepping presidential powers and "leading by coercion"<ref name=Ellington>{{cite news |last1=Ellington |first1=Andre J. |title=Senator Joni Ernst Says Biden's Vaccine Mandate Is Timed as 'Diversion Away From 9/11' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/senator-joni-ernst-says-bidens-vaccine-mandate-timed-diversion-away-9-11-1628069 |access-date=11 September 2021 |work=] |date=2021-09-10}}</ref> with the newly announced "]"<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The White House|title=Path out of the Pandemic: President Biden's COVID-19 Action Plan|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/covidplan/|access-date=September 11, 2021}}</ref> initiative,<ref name=Ellington/> aimed at mitigating the rising threat of the ].<ref name=Vlamis>{{cite news |last1=Vlamis |first1=Kelsey |title=GOP Sen. Joni Ernst said Biden's plan to get Americans vaccinated is a 'diversion' from the 20th anniversary of 9/11 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/joni-ernst-biden-vaccine-plan-is-diversion-from-911-anniversary-2021-9 |access-date=11 September 2021 |work=] |date=2021-09-10}}</ref> "Forcing these federal mandates was one way to divert us", she said. "This is a diversion away from ], away from the 20th anniversary and away from the debacle that was his ]".<ref name=Ellington/> The previous week, Biden had signed an ] declassifying 9/11 documents that the victims' families had requested for many years; his agenda on September 11, 2021, included visits to three ] in ], ], and ].<ref name=Vlamis/>

In March 2024, Ernst announced that she would run for ] chair in 2025, a position that Senator ] is also seeking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everett |first1=Burgess |title=Ernst to run against Cotton for Senate GOP No. 3 this fall |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/11/ernst-run-against-cotton-senate-gop-00146171 |website=] |date=March 11, 2024 |access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>

=== Committee assignments ===

*]
**]
**]
**] (Ranking Member)
*]
**]
**]
**]
*] (Ranking Member)

=== Caucus memberships ===

* ]<ref>{{Cite web|title=MEMBERS|url=https://www.republicanmainstreet.org/members|access-date=2021-03-01|website=RMSP|language=en}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Senate Taiwan Caucus 118th Congress (2023-2024)|author=|url=https://fapa.org/senate-taiwan-caucus/|format=|publisher=Formosan Association for Public Affairs|date=|accessdate=8 October 2024}}</ref>

== Political positions ==
In 2019, '']'' called Ernst "a reliable vote for most of Trump's agenda",<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2ODG3On|title=One of the GOP's brightest female stars is dogged by Trump in 2020|last=Levine|first=Marianne|website=POLITICO|date=March 31, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-18}}</ref> and as of October 2020, she had voted in line with ]'s positions 91.1% of the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/|title=Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump|last=Bycoffe|first=Aaron|date=2017-01-30|website=FiveThirtyEight|language=en|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref> The American Conservative Union's Center for Legislative Accountability gives Ernst a lifetime conservative score of 81.69.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sen. Joni Ernst|url=http://ratings.conservative.org/people/E000295|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=American Conservative Union Foundation}}</ref> The politically liberal Americans for Democratic Action gave Ernst a score of zero for 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ADA Voting Records {{!}} Americans for Democratic Action|url=https://adaction.org/ada-voting-records/|access-date=2021-05-05|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Abortion ===
Ernst opposes legalized ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/12/joni-ernst-abortion-born-alive-bill-kim-reynolds-senate-election-family-leadership-summit/1714010001/|title=Joni Ernst touts anti-abortion advocacy at Family Leadership Summit|last=Gruber-Miller|first=Stephen|website=Des Moines Register|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> In 2013, she voted for a ] amendment in the Iowa Senate and has said that she would support a federal personhood bill.<ref name=PHB>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/16/senate-candidate-endorses_n_5997126.html|title=Senate Candidate Joni Ernst Endorses Federal Personhood Bill For Fetuses|last=Bassett|first=Laura|date=October 16, 2014|work=]|access-date=October 17, 2014}}</ref> Critics, such as the ], have expressed concern that such an amendment could restrict abortion even in cases of rape or incest, as well as certain forms of ], although Ernst has affirmed that she supports access to birth control.<ref name=PHB/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Noble |first1=Jason |title=Exclusive: New ad knocks Ernst support of 'Personhood amendment' |url=https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/09/04/joni-ernst-bruce-braley-personhood-amendment-tv-ad-us-senate-race/15051453/ |website=] |date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> In January 2020, she petitioned the ] to reconsider '']'', the landmark ruling that abortion bans are unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brennan |first1=Paul |title=Ernst, Grassley and King sign legal brief encouraging the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade |url=https://littlevillagemag.com/ernst-grassley-and-king-sign-legal-brief-encouraging-the-u-s-supreme-court-to-overturn-roe-v-wade/ |website=Little Village |date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

In 2017, Ernst introduced legislation allowing states to block ] from receiving ] grants or reimbursements for treating ] patients, although Planned Parenthood clinics provide multiple ] services and the funding does not go to abortions except in rare circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Jordan |title=Sen. Joni Ernst Puts Planned Parenthood — and Access to Birth Control — on the Chopping Block |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/02/10/sen-joni-ernst-puts-planned-parenthood-and-access-to-birth-control-on-the-chopping-block/ |website=] |date=10 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Desjardins |first1=Lisa |title=Why the Senate voted to block funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/senate-vote-block-abortion-funding-affects-planned-parenthood |website=] |language=en-us |date=30 March 2017}}</ref> Ernst supported the 2022 ], calling it a science-based decision.<ref>{{cite tweet |last1=Ernst |first1=Joni |title=I'm proudly and adamantly pro-life. This decision reflects the science, will save lives, and rightly returns policymaking power back to the American people and their elected officials. |user=SenJoniErnst |number=1540356295840120834 |date=24 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Barack Obama ===
In 2014, when asked about President ]'s recess appointments, Ernst called Obama a "dictator" who should be "removed from office" or face "impeachment."<ref name="yn-impeach">{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/joni-ernst-seeks-to-walk-back-talk-of-impeaching-obama-015747572.html|title=Joni Ernst seeks to walk back talk of impeaching Obama|last=Shiner|first=Meredith|date=July 8, 2014|website=]}}</ref> She said, "He is running amok. He is not following our Constitution."<ref name="yn-impeach" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/joni-ernst---impeachment--of-obama-should-be-on-the-table-204439051.html|title=Joni Ernst: 'Impeachment' of Obama should be on the table|last1=Shinner|first1=Meredith|website=]|date=July 8, 2014 |access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref> Later in 2014, Ernst criticized Obama's handling of the ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 9, 2020|title=Trump who? Senate GOP candidates in tight races avoid any mention of the president in campaign ads.|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Kim, Seung Min|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-who-senate-gop-candidates-in-tight-races-avoid-any-mention-of-the-president-in-campaign-ads/2020/07/08/47699e60-c148-11ea-864a-0dd31b9d6917_story.html|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>

=== Diabetes and price cap for insulin ===
Ernst voted against capping the price of insulin at $35;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republicans block $35 cap on price of insulin from Senate bill |url=https://news.yahoo.com/republicans-block-35-cap-price-175031366.html |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=August 7, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> she has said that she has two family members who are diabetic.<ref>{{Cite tweet |title=I grew up with a brother and a sister who are Type 1 Diabetics. I will always fight to protect their coverage, and the coverage of every Iowan with a preexisting condition. |first=Joni |last=Ernst |user=joniernst |number=1312548926235516930 |access-date=2022-08-08 |date=4 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Donald Trump ===
In February 2020, Ernst voted to acquit Trump on both ] (abuse of power and obstruction of Congress).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/05/trump-impeachment-grassley-and-ernst-vote-acquit/4672346002/|title=U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst voted to acquit President Trump. Read what they said about their votes.|last=Akin|first=Katie|website=Des Moines Register|language=en|date=February 5, 2020|access-date=2020-03-15}}</ref> She argued that Trump had learned his lesson, and that he would not ask a foreign leader to investigate his rivals again without going through the proper channels.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ernst on Ukraine call: Trump 'knows now' to use proper channels | work=CNN | date=February 2, 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/02/02/sotu-ernst-trump.cnn|access-date=2020-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/02/ernst-trump-learned-lesson-foreign-interference-110346|title=Joni Ernst: Trump's learned his lesson on foreign interference|last=Cammarata|first=Sarah|website=POLITICO|language=en|date=February 2, 2020|access-date=2020-03-15}}</ref> At the same time, she suggested that ] could be impeached if he becomes president over his actions in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/ernst-biden-impeachment-trump-iowa-2e633d71-2782-4daa-bd75-1e22b8a1ae7a.html|title=GOP Sen. Joni Ernst warns there could be push impeach Biden if he's elected president|last=Perano|first=Ursula|website=Axios|language=en|date=February 2, 2020|access-date=2020-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Biden |first1=Joe |title=Joe Bidens Quid Pro Quo Deal With Ukrainian Leadership |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCSF3reVr10 |website=Youtube |date=13 November 2019}}</ref>

In May 2020, Ernst praised Trump's response to the ], saying, "he was right on it from day one".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republicans praise Trump's pandemic response with Senate majority at risk|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/06/senate-republicans-trump-coronavirus-response-240454|access-date=2020-05-07|first1=Burgess|last1=Everett|first2=John|last2=Bresnahan|date=May 6, 2020|website=POLITICO|language=en}}</ref> On May 28, 2021, Ernst voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the ].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Washington Post |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Which senators supported a Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/january6-commission-senators-vote/}}</ref>

=== Economic policy ===
Ernst opposes a ] and has said that states should have sole authority to set their minimum wages.<ref name="ipr-ernst">{{cite web | publisher = Iowa Public Radio | url = http://iowapublicradio.org/post/candidate-profile-joni-ernst | title = Candidate Profile: Joni Ernst | date = June 1, 2014 | first1 = Charity | last1 = Nebbe |first2=Katherine |last2=Perkins }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://globegazette.com/news/local/ernst-let-states-set-minimum-wage/article_71cc6cd7-6667-5f42-93c0-a6a0bc3f4fd4.html|title=Ernst: Let states set minimum wage|work=Mason City Globe-Gazette|access-date=September 30, 2014 | date = August 25, 2014 | first = John | last = Skipper}}</ref><ref name=deb/> She voted against a minimum wage increase in the state Senate.<ref name=deb/> In response to a ] report projecting that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour would lift 900,000 people out of poverty but cost 500,000 people their jobs, Ernst said, "government-mandated wage increases are not the solution."<ref>{{cite web|title=Report: Minimum wage boost would cost jobs, lower poverty|url=http://qctimes.com/news/local/government-and-politics/report-minimum-wage-boost-would-cost-jobs-lower-poverty/article_76d256ab-f8f4-5889-a67a-822892bd14ca.html|work=The Quad-City Times| date = February 18, 2014 | first = Ed | last = Tibbetts}}</ref>

Ernst has proposed eliminating the ].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/jun/27/league-conservation-voters/does-joni-ernst-want-abolish-education-department-/|title=Does Joni Ernst want to abolish the Education Department and the EPA?|author=O' Connor, Molly|work=]|date=June 27, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name=edu-epa/> In the state Senate, she worked on legislation that reduced ]es.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |date=November 27, 2013 |url=http://www.newtondailynews.com/2013/11/26/ernst-payton-speak-at-local-gop-meeting/a8bhvwe/ |title=Ernst, Payton speak at local GOP meeting |work=Newton Daily News |access-date=April 10, 2014}}</ref> In 2014, she said she supports a "fairer, flatter, and simpler" federal tax code, a reduction in discretionary spending and spending on ], and a constitutional amendment requiring a ].<ref name="demoines2405098" /> In 2017, she voted for the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/12/19/how-they-voted-iowas-gop-members-congress-vote-yes-tax-reform/965995001/|title=How they voted: Iowa's GOP members of Congress vote 'yes' on tax overhaul|website=Des Moines Register|author=Noble, Jason|language=en|access-date=2019-05-18}}</ref><ref name=":1"/>

Ernst has expressed support for the ] of ] for young workers while making clear that "we have to keep our promises to seniors".<ref name="focused" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Louis |title=Democratic ad says Iowa GOP candidate Joni Ernst backs privatizing Social Security |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2014/aug/21/democratic-senatorial-campaign-committee/democratic-ad-says-iowa-gop-candidate-joni-ernst-b/ |website=] |date=August 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Factcheck.org: Democrats misrepresent Joni Ernst's position on Social Security|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/07/factcheck-says-democrats-misrepresent-ernst-social-security-position/16882233/|author=Jacobs, Jennifer|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|date=October 7, 2014|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref>

In May 2018, Ernst was one of nine Republican senators to introduce a ] meant to fulfill Trump's wish to curb previously approved spending by $15.4 billion as part of an attempt to roll out the legislation to ensure it reached the Senate floor within a 45-day window.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/389462-senate-conservatives-introduce-trumps-plan-to-claw-back-15-billion-in/|title=GOP senators introduce Trump's plan to claw back $15 billion in spending|author=Carney, Jordain|date=May 25, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>

=== Education ===
Ernst supports eliminating the ], saying she "believe our children are better educated when it's coming from the state."<ref name=":0" /><ref name=edu-epa>{{cite web |title=Ernst calls for elimination of IRS, Dept. of Education and EPA |url=http://www.iowapbs.org/iowapress/story/3958/ernst-calls-elimination-irs-dept-education-and-epa |website=] |language=en |date=24 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=demoines2405098/> While states handle almost all education policy decisions, the Department of Education conducts nationwide research, monitors for ], and distributes ] through loans and grants.<ref name=":0" /> In 2014, Ernst claimed, inaccurately,<!--Per ] "PolitiFact is a reliable source for reporting the veracity of statements made by political candidates."--> that 94% of employees at the Department of Education had been deemed “nonessential” and argued funding would be better spent at the state and local level. '']'' calculated that hypothetically reassigning all employees to non-federal positions would increase state and local education staffing by “4/100ths of 1 percent”.<ref name=PF>{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Louis |title=Joni Ernst says 94 percent of Education Department employees are 'nonessential' |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2014/sep/30/joni-ernst/joni-ernst-says-94-percent-education-department-em/ |website=] |date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> In February 2017, Ernst voted to confirm ] as ], saying they shared a belief that those "closest" to students know what is best for them.<ref name=DMR>{{cite web |last1=Noble |first1=Jason |title=Grassley, Ernst vote 'yes' on DeVos confirmation |url=https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/07/grassley-ernst-vote-yes-devos-confirmation/97605868/ |website=] |date=February 7, 2017}}</ref><ref name=WaPo>{{cite news |last1=Wootson |first1=Cleve |title=A Republican senator defended Betsy DeVos at a town hall. Boos drowned her out. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/03/18/a-republican-senator-defended-betsy-devos-at-a-town-hall-boos-drowned-her-out/ |newspaper=] |date=March 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://whotv.com/2017/02/07/senator-joni-ernst-explains-support-of-betsy-devos/|first=Emily|last=Koss|publisher=whotv.com|date=February 7, 2017|title=Senator Joni Ernst Explains Support of Betsy DeVos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408045403/https://whotv.com/2017/02/07/senator-joni-ernst-explains-support-of-betsy-devos/|archive-date=2019-04-08}}</ref>

=== Environment ===
Ernst rejects the ] on ] and has said that any governmental regulation to address it should be "very small."<ref name="demoines2405098" /><ref name=ICN/> In a 2014 debate, she said, "] behind climate change. I can't say one way or another what is the direct impact from whether it's manmade or not."<ref name="politico-debate">{{cite news | work = Politico | url = http://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/bruce-braley-joni-ernst-debate-2014-iowa-senate-elections-111409.html | title = Bruce Braley, Joni Ernst tear into each other | date = September 28, 2014 | first = James | last = Hohmann}}</ref><ref name="ipr-debate">{{cite web | publisher = Iowa Public Radio | title = Braley, Ernst Differ in First U.S. Senate Debate | url = http://iowapublicradio.org/post/braley-ernst-differ-first-us-senate-debate | first = Clay | last = Masters | date = September 29, 2014}}</ref> In 2018, after the release of the ], detailing the ], Ernst said that "our climate always changes and we see those ebb and flows through time".<ref name=ICN>{{cite web |last1=Gustin |first1=Georgina |title=Senate 2020: Iowa Farmers Are Feeling the Effects of Climate Change. That Could Make Things Harder for Joni Ernst |url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09092020/senate-2020-iowa-agriculture-farmers-extreme-weather-joni-ernst-theresa-greenfield |website=] |date=10 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bobic |first1=Igor |title=GOP Shrugs Off Bombshell Climate Report |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/climate-change-report-gop_n_5bfab61de4b0771fb6b9bf48?ri18n=true |website=] |date=November 25, 2018}}</ref>

In her 2014 Senate campaign, Ernst won support from the ] and affiliated groups, who helped propel her ahead of a primary opponent who backed a proposal to limit ].<ref name=Politico/><ref name=Nation/> In 2014, she said she is "adamantly opposed" to ], a market-based approach to reducing carbon emissions.<ref name="demoines2405098" /> She supported Trump's 2017 decision to withdraw from the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.omaha.com/news/politics/iowa-and-nebraska-lawmakers-stand-by-trump-on-paris-climate/article_12ab754f-3390-5176-9e34-f2c82aaf11e1.html|title=Iowa and Nebraska lawmakers stand by Trump on Paris climate accord|last=Tysver|first=Robynn |website=Omaha.com|date=June 3, 2017 |language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref name=ICN/>

Ernst has called for eliminating the ].<ref name=":0" /> In 2014, she criticized the impact of the ] on farms and businesses and said she would have voted against the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ernst takes on EPA Clean Water Act plan|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/business/agriculture/ernst-takes-on-epa-clean-water-act-plan/article_d09771f0-7541-5ba9-92b9-0b0c40804f45.html|work=Sioux City Journal| date = August 12, 2014 | first = Ed | last = Tibbetts}}</ref><ref name="focused">{{cite web |title=Joni Ernst focused on primary in final Iowa debate |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/joni-ernst-election-iowa-debate-107237.html |work=Politico |date=May 29, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2014 |first=James|last=Hohmann}}</ref>

After voting to confirm Trump nominee ] as ], Ernst said in 2018 that he had lied to her about upholding the ], which mandates a minimum proportion of ] that must be mixed with fuel, while calling Pruitt "about as ] as you get".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2kPxLow|title=Pruitt 'is about as swampy as you get,' Republican senator says|last=Wolff|first=Eric|website=POLITICO|language=en|date=June 5, 2018|access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/390773-gop-senators-says-pruitt-is-as-swampy-as-you-get/|title=GOP senator says Pruitt is 'as swampy as you get'|author=Cama, Timothy|date=June 5, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name=ICN/> In February 2019, Ernst voted to confirm Trump's new nominee for EPA administrator, ].<ref name=ICN/> In June 2019, she said she had asked Trump and Wheeler to limit the issuing of RFS waivers, saying they were being handed out "like candy" without congressional oversight.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/sen-joni-ernst-pushing-to-rein-in-renewable-fuel-refinery-waivers-20190620 |title=Sen. Joni Ernst pushing to rein in renewable fuel refinery exemptions |last=Lynch |first=James Q. |date=June 20, 2019 |newspaper=]|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>

As of September 2020, Ernst has a 1% lifetime score from the environmentalist ].<ref name=ICN/>


===Foreign policy=== ===Foreign policy===
] during an Armed Services Committee hearing in 2019]]
Regarding the ] and ], Ernst stated: "We don't know that there were weapons on the ground when we went in, however, I do have reason to believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That was the intelligence that was operated on. I have reason to believe there was weapons of mass destruction. My husband served in Saudi Arabia as an Army Central Command sergeant major for a year and that's a hot-button topic in that area."<ref name=demoines2405098/> After criticism from Iowa Democrats and some commentators,<ref name=hogs/><ref>{{cite web |title=The Iowa Republican Senator-to-Be Who Thinks Iraq Had WMD |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/05/12/the_iowa_republican_senator_to_be_who_thinks_iraq_had_wmd.html |publisher=Slate |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=May 14, 2014 |author=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Iowa Republican still believes Iraq had WMDs |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/205872-ernst-still-believes-iraq-had-wmds |publisher=The Hill |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=May 14, 2014 |author=Cameron Joseph}}</ref> Ernst then issued a clarifying statement in which she stated that she did not mean to suggest that Iraq had WMD at the time of invasion, but rather that Iraq had had WMDs in their past which they used, and that her point was that "we don't know exactly what happened to those weapons".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ernst seeks to clarify remark on Iraq WMDs |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/12/joni-ernst-wmd/9003823/ |publisher=Des Moines Register |date=May 13, 2014 |accessdate=May 15, 2014 |author=Jennifer Jacobs}}</ref>


==== Afghanistan ====
When asked whether she supports the limited airstrikes conducted in Iraq in August 2014, Ernst said: "What I can say is what I would have supported is leaving additional troops in Iraq longer and perhaps we wouldn't have this situation today".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zeleny|first1=Jeff|title=Joni Ernst, From Obscure Iowa Legislator to Potential Role Model for Future GOP Candidates|url=http://news.yahoo.com/joni-ernst-obscure-iowa-legislator-potential-role-model-233337432--abc-news-politics.html|publisher=ABC News}}</ref>
In October 2015, Ernst said that Obama lacked "a clear coherent strategy in Afghanistan" amid the rise of Taliban forces and ISIS.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/sen-joni-ernst-the-obama-administration-has-no-clear-coherent-strategy-in-afghanistan|title=Sen. Joni Ernst: The Obama administration has no clear, coherent strategy in Afghanistan|website=] |date=October 6, 2015|quote=ERNST: Well, I don't know that strategy. We lack, from the administration, a clear coherent strategy in Afghanistan. We see the rise of Taliban forces. We see the rise of ISIS, which is something that General John Campbell had mentioned today in the Senate Armed Services Committee. There is no strategy.}}</ref> In August 2021, she called the ] "rapid and haphazard" and "shameful", chiding the Biden administration for removing troops before guaranteeing the safety of the U.S. embassy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/16/iowa-members-congress-react-afghanistan-withdrawal-chaos-joni-ernst-chuck-grassley-cindy-axne/8151111002/|title=How are Iowa's members of Congress reacting to Biden, chaos in Afghanistan?|first=Stephen|last=Gruber-Miller|publisher=Des Moines Register|date=August 16, 2021}}</ref>


====Iran====
In an interview with '']'', Ernst said that she was sexually harassed in the military, stating that “I had comments, passes, things like that” which she was able to stop, and said she will support removing sexual assault cases from the chain of command.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Newton-Small|first1=Jay|title=Ernst Says She Was Sexually Harassed in the Military|url=http://time.com/3119176/ernst-says-she-was-sexually-harassed-in-the-military/|publisher=TIME|accessdate=17 August 2014}}</ref>
Ernst opposed the ] negotiated by the Obama administration.<ref name=":2" /> In January 2020, she expressed support for the US military's ] by ] at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioiowa.com/2020/01/03/senator-ernst-says-soleimani-brought-to-justice|title=Senator Ernst says Iran General Soleimani brought to justice|date=January 3, 2020|author=Henderson, Kay|publisher=Radio Iowa|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>


=== Healthcare issues === ====Iraq====
Of the ] and ], she said, "We don't know that there were weapons on the ground when we went in. However, I do have reason to believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That was the intelligence that was operated on. I have reason to believe there was weapons of mass destruction. My husband served in Saudi Arabia as an Army Central Command sergeant major for a year and that's a hot-button topic in that area."<ref name="demoines2405098" /> After criticism from Iowa Democrats and some commentators,<ref name="hogs" /><ref>{{cite web |title=The Iowa Republican Senator-to-Be Who Thinks Iraq Had WMD |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/05/12/the_iowa_republican_senator_to_be_who_thinks_iraq_had_wmd.html |work=Slate |date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |author=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Republican still believes Iraq had WMDs |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/205872-ernst-still-believes-iraq-had-wmds/ |newspaper=The Hill |date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |first=Cameron|last=Joseph}}</ref> Ernst then issued a statement that she had not meant to suggest that Iraq had WMD at the time of invasion, but rather that Iraq had used WMDs in the past, and that her point was that "we don't know exactly what happened to those weapons."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst seeks to clarify remark on Iraq WMDs |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/12/joni-ernst-wmd/9003823/ |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=May 15, 2014 |first=Jennifer|last=Jacobs}}</ref>
Ernst indirectly endorsed ]’s partially privatized Medicare model in a 2011 Iowa Senate vote. According to an August 2014 article in ''The Gazette'', she has not laid out a detailed plan for ] reform.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fact Check: Ernst on Medicare|url=http://thegazette.com/subject/news/government/fact-check/fact-check-ad-about-joni-ernst-on-medicare-20140829|publisher=The Gazette|accessdate=31 August 2014|quote=Ernst has presented privatized models for social security reform and indirectly endorsed Paul Ryan’s privatized Medicare model with her 2011 vote.}}</ref>


When asked whether she supports the limited airstrikes conducted in Iraq in August 2014, Ernst said, "What I can say is what I would have supported is leaving additional troops in Iraq longer and perhaps we wouldn't have this situation today."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zeleny|first1=Jeff|title=Joni Ernst, From Obscure Iowa Legislator to Potential Role Model for Future GOP Candidates|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/08/joni-ernst-from-obscure-iowa-legislator-to-potential-role-model-for-future-gop-candidates|work=ABC News|date=August 8, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>
Ernst supports replacing the ] saying that it is "an additional tax of $1.2 trillion on the American people over the next decade and I believe we need to eliminate Obamacare but replace it with free market alternatives."<ref name=demoines2405098/>


==== Israel ====
In answering a survey for the ] in 2012, Ernst answered "Yes" when asked if she would support legislation that would "nullify ObamaCare and authorize state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement ."<ref>{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE: GOPer Ernst Backed Arresting Feds Over Obamacare In 2012 Survey|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/joni-ernst-obamacare-arrest-law-enforcement|publisher=Talking Points Memo|date=October 3, 2014|accessdate=October 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Conservative group: Ernst backed arresting feds over Obamacare|url=http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/joni-ernst-backed-arresting-obamacare-workers|publisher=MSNBC|date=October 3, 2014|accessdate=October 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Iowa State Legislative Candidates survey|url=http://www.campaignforliberty.org/surveys/iowa-state-legislative-candidates/|publisher=Campaign for Liberty|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref>
In October 2023, days after the beginning of the ], Ernst led a congressional delegation to meetings with ] ], other Israeli leaders, and American civilians in Israel. She said the meetings were meant to "reassure the leadership in Israel as well as a number of American families that were there that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/ernst-meets-with-netanyahu-leads-delegation-visit-to-israel/|title=Ernst meets with Netanyahu, leads delegation visit to Israel|first=Tom|last=Barton|date=October 10, 2023|publisher=The Gazette}}</ref>


In July 2024, before Netanyahu gave a speech to Congress, Ernst led a Republican press conference "demanding action from this waffling White House" and called for U.S. sanctions and weapons to help Israel defeat Hamas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kcrg.com/2024/07/24/iowa-lawmakers-share-thoughts-netanyahu-address/|title=Iowa lawmakers share thoughts on Netanyahu address|date=July 24, 2024|first=Lacey|last=Reeves|publisher=kcrg.com}}</ref> She also criticized Vice President ] for not attending the speech, calling her absence "a disgrace" and asking what duties Harris would neglect if elected president.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/07/24/ernst-says-harris-had-a-duty-to-attend-netanyahu-speech/|title=Ernst says Harris had a duty to attend Netanyahu speech|date=July 24, 2024|publisher=Radio Iowa}}</ref>
===Social issues===
Ernst has said she believes marriage is a "state issue". She co-sponsored a failed bill to amend the Iowa constitution to have marriage legally defined as between one man and one woman.<ref name=focused/><ref name=IowaSenate>{{cite web|url=http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=BillInfo&Service=Billbook&ga=84&hbill=SJR8|title=The Iowa Legislature Bill Book|publisher=|accessdate=30 September 2014}}</ref> She opposes ].<ref>Campus Election Engagement Project. October 17, 2014. . ''The Huffington Post.'' Retrieved: 23 October 2014.</ref>


====Korean conflict====
Ernst is ], believing that life begins at conception.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joniforiowa.com/issues/|title=ISSUES - Joni Ernst for Iowa|work=Joni Ernst for Iowa|accessdate=30 September 2014}}</ref> She voted for a ] amendment in the Iowa Senate in 2013 and has said that she would support a federal personhood bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/16/senate-candidate-endorses_n_5997126.html |title=Senate Candidate Joni Ernst Endorses Federal Personhood Bill For Fetuses |work=The Huffington Post |date=October 16, 2014 |accessdate=October 17, 2014}}</ref>
In June 2018, Ernst questioned Trump's decision to suspend joint military exercises with ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/391842-gop-senator-questions-suspension-of-joint-military-exercises-with-south-korea/|title=GOP senator questions suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea|date=June 12, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|author=Bolton, Alexander|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> In July, she advocated that the United States continue the exercises in case talks between the US and ] did not continue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/396003-ernst-us-should-continue-military-exercises-with-south-korea-if-north-korea/|title=GOP senator: US should continue military exercises with South Korea if North Korea talks break down|date=July 8, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|author=Greenwood, Max|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>
] at the 2016 ] Asia Security Summit in Singapore]]


====Russia====
In 2013, Ernst voted against bringing Senate File 79 up for a vote in the Iowa Senate, a bill that would legalize ]. Ernst expressed concerns that the drug "would ultimately end up in the hands of minors".<ref>Petroski, William. March 4, 2013. . ''The Des Moines Register.'' Retrieved: 23 October 2014.</ref>
In 2017, Ernst called Russia's behavior, including its ] and ], "totally unacceptable" and said Trump should "show strength against ]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/16/sen-ernst-trump-must-step-up-and-lead-opposition-russia/97997984/|title=Sen. Ernst: Trump must 'step up' and lead opposition to Russia|last=Noble|first=Jason|date=February 16, 2017|newspaper=Des Moines Register}}</ref> The next year, she urged caution if the U.S. worked with Russia to "put a lid on Iran", saying that Russia would never be "a true friend or ally" to the U.S. She cited North Korea as another case where caution should be maintained when cooperating to make the world "a safer place".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sen-joni-ernst-on-face-the-nation-russia-will-never-be-a-true-friend-to-the-u-s/|title=Sen. Joni Ernst: Russia will never "be a true friend" to the U.S.|date=July 8, 2018|work=CBS News|author=Tillett, Emily|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> After the ] later that month, Ernst expressed hope that Trump had "delivered a strong message" that Russia would be punished for its annexation of Ukraine, support of ], and "aggressive actions in U.S. domestic policy", and that Trump had discussed Russia's actions in the Balkans.<ref name=Grassley>{{cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/07/16/iowa-chuck-grassley-republicans-putin-president-trump-russia-nato-reaction-criticizing/789081002/|title=Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley criticizes Trump, saying 'Putin isn't a friend to the United States'|newspaper=]|author=Pfannenstiel, Brianne|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>


In February 2024, Ernst and Grassley broke with most Senate Republicans to vote for a $95 billion foreign aid bill that included $60 billion to support Ukraine. Ernst said that Congress was "equipping America to push back against our adversaries' aggression" and that the bill was "critical to reversing President Biden's weakness on the world stage that has abandoned our partners, emboldened authoritarians, and put American lives at risk."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2024/02/13/chuck-grassley-joni-ernst-voted-to-approve-95-billion-foreign-aid-bill-ukraine-israel/72581965007/|title=Why Iowa senators Grassley and Ernst broke with Republican ranks on foreign aid to Ukraine|date=February 13, 2024|publisher=Des Moines Register}}</ref>
==2014 U.S. Senate election==
{{main|United States Senate election in Iowa, 2014}}
In July 2013, Ernst announced that she would seek the Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Senator ]. If elected, she would be the first woman from Iowa elected to either house of ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hayley |first=Bruce |title=State Sen. Joni Ernst announces run for U.S. Senate in Cedar Rapids |url=http://thegazette.com/2013/07/18/state-sen-joni-ernst-announces-run-for-u-s-senate-in-cedar-rapids/ |accessdate=23 January 2014 |newspaper=The Gazette |date=18 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=firstIowawoman>{{cite news|last1=Fish|first1=Sandra|title=Joni Ernst may make history as first Iowa woman to go to Congress|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/1/joni-ernst-may-makehistoryasfirstiowawomantogotocongress.html|accessdate=3 July 2014|publisher=Aljazeera America|date=1 May 2014}}</ref>


====Syrian civil war====
Ernst received the endorsement of ] ] in October 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Henderson |first=O. Kay |title=Lieutenant Governor Reynolds endorses Ernst in U.S. Senate race |url=http://www.radioiowa.com/2013/10/07/lieutenant-governor-reynolds-endorses-ernst-in-u-s-senate-race/ |accessdate=23 January 2014 |publisher=Radio Iowa |date=7 October 2013}}</ref> She has also been endorsed by 23 current and former state legislators.<ref>, ''Joni Ernst for Iowa''</ref> In March the Ernst campaign was endorsed by former ] Governor ] and former ] ].<ref>Joseph, Cameron. , '']'', March 26, 2014.</ref><ref name=Sullivan>{{cite web | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/03/26/sarah-palin-endorses-joni-ernst-in-iowa-senate-race/ | title=Sarah Palin endorses Joni Ernst in Iowa Senate race | work=] | date=March 26, 2014 | accessdate=October 26, 2014 | author=Sullivan, Sean}}</ref> In May 2014, she was endorsed by the ].<ref name=focused /><ref>{{cite news |title=National business group picks Joni Ernst over GOP rivals in Iowa U.S. Senate race |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/13/joni-ernst-chamber-endorsement/9001911/ |accessdate=May 13, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst Keeps Up Momentum With Ad Support From Chamber of Commerce |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/27/joni-ernst-chamber-of-commerce_n_5400264.html |accessdate=June 2, 2014 |publisher=Huffington Post |date=May 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The magic number for the Republican Party on Tuesday is 35 percent. And Joni Ernst is right there |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/06/02/the-magic-number-for-the-republican-party-on-tuesday-is-35-percent-and-joni-ernst-is-right-there/ |accessdate=June 2, 2014 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=GOP candidate with both grassroots and establishment backing |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/05/27/gop-candidate-with-both-grassroots-and-establishment-backing/ |accessdate=June 2, 2014 |publisher=CNN |date=May 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chamber ads aid momentum for Iowa GOP’s Joni Ernst |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/chamber-ads-aid-momentum-for-iowa-gops-joni-ernst/2014/05/27/8d54e15a-e5e4-11e3-a70e-ea1863229397_story.html |accessdate=June 2, 2014 |publisher=Washington Post |date=May 27, 2014}}</ref>
In 2015, Ernst said the U.S. should halt the ] of ], saying the United States needs a "thorough vetting process".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kcci.com/article/sen-joni-ernst-calls-for-pause-on-syrian-refugee-arrivals/6914743|title=Sen. Joni Ernst calls for 'pause' on Syrian refugee arrivals|last=Kirkpatrick|first=Alex|date=November 18, 2015|publisher=kcci.com}}</ref>


In 2018, after ], Ernst said that she would be "uncomfortable" if Trump wanted to commit more American troops there, saying it was secondary to fighting ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/383239-gop-senator-uncomfortable-with-ground-troops-in-syria/|title=GOP senator uncomfortable with ground troops in Syria|date=April 15, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|author=Bolton, Alexander|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> After Trump announced the withdrawal of ], Ernst was one of six senators to sign a letter expressing concern, calling the move a "premature and costly mistake" that would "embolden ISIS, Bashar al Assad, Iran, and Russia."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/422208-bipartisan-senators-call-on-trump-to-reconsider-syria-withdrawal/|title=Senators call on Trump administration to reconsider Syria withdrawal|date=December 19, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|author=Axelrod, Tal|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>
Ernst received widespread attention for a campaign advertisement she released in March 2014 where she employed a ] comparison between her experience ] pigs and her ability to cut "]" in Congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred |url=http://time.com/36955/iowa-senate-candidate-says-castration-gives-her-conservative-cred/ |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=In Politics, Hog Castration Cuts Through The Ad Clutter |url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/03/28/295949340/in-politics-hog-castration-cuts-through-the-ad-clutter |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=NPR |date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> Many found the ad to be humorous<ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred |url=http://time.com/36955/iowa-senate-candidate-says-castration-gives-her-conservative-cred/ |accessdate=April 18, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How did John Boehner's opponent get his campaign ad to go viral? Humor. (+video) |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2014/0415/How-did-John-Boehner-s-opponent-get-his-campaign-ad-to-go-viral-Humor.-video |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=Christian Science Monitor |date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> and it was spoofed by late-night comedians including ] and ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Jimmy Fallon cringes at Joni Ernst's hog-castration ad |url=http://archive.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140325/NEWS09/303250154/Jimmy-Fallon-cringes-Joni-Ernst-s-hog-castration-ad |accessdate=April 19, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Colbert: I'm pulling for Joni Ernst 'whole hog, or whatever's left' |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/27/colbert-im-pulling-for-joni-ernst-whole-hog-or-whatevers-left/6955697/ |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name=hogs>{{cite news |title=How Joni Ernst’s ad about ‘castrating hogs’ transformed Iowa’s U.S. Senate race |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-joni-ernsts-ad-about-castrating-hogs-transformed-iowas-us-senate-race/2014/05/11/c02d1804-d85b-11e3-95d3-3bcd77cd4e11_story.html |accessdate=May 15, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst 'Castrating Hogs' Ad: Republican Iowa Senate Candidate Stirs Controversy With Offbeat Campaign Spot |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/joni-ernst-castrating-hogs-ad-republican-iowa-senate-candidate-stirs-controversy-offbeat-campaign |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=International Business Times |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref> Before the ad aired, Ernst had struggled in fundraising,<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses "hog castrator" Jodi Ernst in Iowa Senate race |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sarah-palin-endorses-hog-castrator-jodi-ernst-in-iowa-senate-race/ |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=CBS News |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Fix’s fourth-quarter fundraising winners and losers |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/02/03/the-fixs-fourth-quarter-fundraising-winners-and-losers/ |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=CBS News |date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> and two polls of the Republican primary taken in February 2014 had shown her in second place, several points behind opponent Mark Jacobs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses ‘pork-cutting’ Joni Ernst in Iowa |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/sarah-palin-endorses-joni-ernst-iowa-105059.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=Politico |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Aims to Be Iowa's First Female Senator |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/03/09/ernst_aims_to_be_iowas_first_female_senator_121849.html |accessdate=April 18, 2014 |newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=March 9, 2014}}</ref> After it aired, a ] poll in early April showed her with a narrow lead and a ] poll showed her essentially tied with Jacobs.<ref name=hogs/><ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Narrowly Leads GOP Field in Iowa Senate Race |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/04/09/ernst_narrowly_leads_gop_field_in_iowa_senate_race_122223.html |accessdate=April 9, 2014 |newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=April 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Poll: Joni Ernst Takes Lead in Iowa GOP Senate Primary |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/poll-joni-ernst-takes-lead-iowa-gop-senate-primary_786717.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=Weekly Standard |date=April 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jacobs, Ernst tied in inaugural Loras Poll |url=http://www.thonline.com/blogs/tri_state_politics/article_a13f2644-c3f2-11e3-a183-001a4bcf6878.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=TH Online |date=April 14, 2014}}</ref> By May, she was being described by the media as the "strong front-runner".<ref name=focused/>


In 2019, Ernst was one of six senators to sign a bipartisan letter to Trump calling on him to "urge Turkey to end their offensive and find a way to a peaceful resolution while supporting our Kurdish partners to ensure regional stability" and arguing that leaving Syria without installing protections for American allies endangered both them and the US.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.al.com/news/2019/10/doug-jones-joins-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-urging-trump-to-rethink-syria-policy.html|title=Doug Jones joins bipartisan group of senators in urging Trump to rethink Syria policy|date=October 17, 2019|publisher=al.com|author=Koplowitz, Howard|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>
In an interview with the '']'' on May 9, 2014, Ernst said she was "extremely offended" by comments made by Republican opponent Mark Jacobs in which she was characterized as ] due to missing over 100 votes in the legislative session ending April 7, 2014. Ernst stated: "If had any sort of service like I have, he would've understood what AWOL means. I have not been AWOL, I will never be AWOL."<ref name=demoines2405098>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst: I was 'extremely offended' by AWOL attack |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/09/joni-ernst-us-senate-des-moines-register-editorial-board/8901677/ |accessdate=May 14, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 9, 2014}}</ref> Previously, in an article in ''The Gazette'', Ernst cited her National Guard duty to rebuff criticism about her missing votes,<ref name=gazette20140414>{{cite news |url=http://thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa/legislature/few-of-ernsts-missed-iowa-senate-votes-due-to-national-guard-duty-20140414 |title=Few of Ernst’s missed Iowa Senate votes due to National Guard Duty |publisher=The Gazette |date=April 14, 2014 |accessdate=April 15, 2014}}</ref> but ''The Gazette'' found that only 12 of the 117 missed votes came on days when she was on duty. The other 105 missed votes represented 57 percent of the Iowa Senate votes that session. Ernst's spokesman said that she has had a better than 90 percent voting record during her career in the Senate and that she has not claimed guard service was the only reason she's missed votes this session.<ref name="gazette20140414"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://thegazette.com/2014/03/05/iowa-sen-ernst-juggles-busy-schedule-with-senate-work/ |title=Iowa Sen. Ernst juggles busy schedule with Senate work |publisher=The Gazette |date=April 1, 2014 |accessdate=April 15, 2014}}</ref>


====Yemen====
In endorsing her for the Republican nomination, the '']'' stated: "Ernst is a smart, well-prepared candidate who can wrestle with the details of public policy from a conservative perspective without seeming inflexible."<ref name=DesMoinesEditorial> "In the federal budget deficit, for example, she readily concedes that cutting federal discretionary spending won't be nearly enough and that the biggest savings must come from Medicare and Medicaid." ''Des Moines Register'', May 17, 2014</ref> On October 23, Ernst cancelled a scheduled meeting with the ''Des Moines Register'''s editorial board, citing as a reason the newspaper's negative editorials about her.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ernst cancels meeting with Register's editorial board|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/2014/10/23/ernst-declines-meeting-with-register-editorial-board/17782955/|publisher=Des Moines Register|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> The newspaper's editorial board endorsed Ernst's opponent, Bruce Braley.<ref name=KCCI-141025>{{cite web | url=http://www.kcci.com/politics/the-registers-editorial-announces-candidate-endorsements/29342156 | title=The Register's Editorial announces candidate endorsements | work=KCCI News | date=October 25, 2014 | accessdate=October 26, 2014}}</ref><ref name=DMR-EdBoard>{{cite web | url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/endorsement/2014/10/25/bruce-braley-endorsement-us-senate-better-choice/17907819/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin= | title=Endorsement: Bruce Braley is better choice | work=] | date=October 26, 2014 | accessdate=October 26, 2014 | author=Editorial Board}}</ref>
In March 2018, Ernst voted to table a resolution spearheaded by ], ], and ] that would have required Trump to withdraw American troops either in or influencing ] within the next 30 days unless they were combating ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/379392-senate-sides-with-trump-on-providing-saudi-military-support/|title=Senate sides with Trump on providing Saudi military support|date=March 20, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|author=Carney, Jordain|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> In November 2018, following the murder of Saudi journalist ], Ernst said that ] was a "great strategic partner" but that Congress should consider a legislative response due to the commitment of the United States to human rights and the rule of law. She added that Trump should become involved "if there are indicators coming from those intelligence agencies".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/more-republicans-challenge-trump-on-defense-of-saudi-crown-prince/2018/11/25/8910bf1e-f0c6-11e8-bc79-68604ed88993_story.html?noredirect=on|title=More Republicans challenge Trump on defense of Saudi crown prince|date=November 25, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Demirjian, Karoun|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> In December, Ernst warned that a resolution withdrawing American support for the Saudi Arabia-led intervention in Yemen could complicate peace talks in Yemen and that, although Saudi Arabia should be punished for Khashoggi's death, "those consequences are I see as right now are separate from the discussion of the Saudis and their actions in Yemen engaging the Houthis."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/11/ernst-senate-resolution-yemen-1056795 |title=Ernst warns resolution to punish Saudis could hurt Yemen peace talks |first=Rebecca |last=Morin |work=] |date=December 11, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>


=== Gun policy ===
On June 16, 2014, in an event organized by ], at a panel titled "The Senate: A Window of Policy Opportunity for Principled Leaders", Ernst thanked the group for its fundraising.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Weisman|first1=Jonathan|title=On Tape, McConnell Envisions Using Budget to Undo Obama Initiatives|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/28/us/politics/on-tape-mcconnell-envisions-using-budget-to-undo-obama-initiatives.html|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref> In July 2014, Ernst's campaigning was temporarily paused while she participated in two weeks of National Guard duty.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jacobs|first1=Jennifer|title=Joni Ernst resumes campaign after 2 weeks of guard duty|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/07/28/joni-ernst-first-campaign-event-after-two-weeks-on-duty/13280727/|accessdate=28 August 2014|publisher=Des Moines Register|date=2014-07-28}}</ref> In that same month, Ernst delivered the Republican Party's weekly address, where she criticized the health care scandal at the Veterans Affairs Department and pushed for a balanced federal budget and entitlement reform.<ref name=cbs>{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Jake|title=GOP Senate candidate: Reform the VA, balance the budget|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-senate-candidate-joni-ernst-reform-the-va-balance-the-budget/|accessdate=28 August 2014|publisher=CBS News|date=2014-07-12}}</ref>
Ernst supports ], which allows guns to be carried openly in public.<ref name="demoines2405098" /> In 2019, she was one of 31 Republican cosponsors of a bill to grant those with ] privileges in their home state the right to carry concealed weapons in other states with concealed carry laws.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kcbd.com/2019/01/10/sens-cruz-cornyn-file-concealed-carry-reciprocity-bill/|title=Sens. Cruz, Cornyn file Concealed-Carry Reciprocity Bill|date=January 10, 2019|publisher=kcbd.com}}</ref>


In a 2014 debate, speaking about the ], Ernst said, "Just because of a horrible, horrible tragedy, I don't believe we should be infringing upon people's Second Amendment rights."<ref name=deb/> After the 2018 ], she said that mental illness was the "root cause" of many mass shootings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kcci.com/article/grassley-ernst-deflect-criticism-of-gun-mental-health-bill/18215403|title=Grassley, Ernst deflect criticism of gun, mental health bill|first=Adam|last=Carros|date=February 16, 2018|publisher=KCCI}}</ref> She later cosponsored a bill to require federal authorities to inform states within a day if a person failing a ] attempted to buy a firearm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/nation-now/school-safety-bill-introduced-by-bipartisan-senators-in-response-to-florida-shooting/465-12ad93e2-e807-4f78-aafe-8df29fcb6ab0|title=School safety bill introduced by bipartisan senators in response to Florida shooting|date=March 5, 2018|first=Nicole|last=Gaudiano|publisher=wfmynews2.com|access-date=June 16, 2019|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204162507/https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/nation-now/school-safety-bill-introduced-by-bipartisan-senators-in-response-to-florida-shooting/465-12ad93e2-e807-4f78-aafe-8df29fcb6ab0|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20180310/collins-backed-push-to-keep-criminals-from-guns-progresses|title=Collins-backed push to keep criminals from guns progresses|date=March 10, 2018|publisher=seacoastonline.com}}</ref>
On August 29, Ernst and ], her Democratic opponent in the election, announced their agreement to hold three televised debates in Davenport, Des Moines, and Sioux City. They were held on September 28, October 11 and October 16, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qctimes.com/news/local/u-s-senate-candidates-bruce-braley-and-joni-ernst-agree/article_a8fd0b73-7a0c-5421-8243-1eee2e236805.html|title=U.S. Senate candidates Braley and Ernst agree to 3 debates|publisher=Quad City Times}}</ref>


In 2017, amid bipartisan momentum for ] restrictions, Ernst was one of 10 Republican senators to sign a letter requesting that the ] review a decision that bump stocks fall outside the purview of existing gun regulations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/354319-gop-senators-want-review-of-obama-era-decision-on-bump-stocks/|title=GOP senators want review of Obama-era decision on bump stocks|date=October 6, 2017|newspaper=The Hill|author=Carney, Jordain|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Ernst resides in ] with her husband, Gail, a ] in the ] (retired) and their daughter, Libby.<ref name=20140616DK/><ref name="JoniErnstBio"/>


According to data from ], the NRA spent $3,124,273 in support of Ernst between 2014 and 2018, mostly attacking candidates running against her.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brennan |first1=Paul |title=Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. David Young, among top recipients of NRA dollars in Congress, encourage public to pray after Las Vegas massacre |url=https://littlevillagemag.com/sen-joni-ernst-and-rep-david-young-among-the-top-recipients-of-nra-dollars-in-congress-encourage-public-to-pray-after-las-vegas-massacre/ |website=Little Village |date=5 October 2017}}</ref>
Ernst is a member of the Montgomery County Republican Women, ] Post 2265 (Life Member), Montgomery County Court of Honor, Altrusa, PEO Chapter HB, ] (Lifetime Member) and the Montgomery County Farm Bureau.<ref name="JoniErnstBio"/> She is a member of the Mamrelund Lutheran Church (]) of Stanton, Iowa.<ref name=20101118IR />


==References== === Health care ===
Ernst opposes the ].<ref name="demoines2405098" /> The ] reported that in 2012 Ernst had answered "Yes" to a survey question asking whether she would support legislation that would "] ObamaCare and authorize state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement ."<ref name=ACA1>{{cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE: GOPer Ernst Backed Arresting Feds Over Obamacare In 2012 Survey |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/joni-ernst-obamacare-arrest-law-enforcement |work=Talking Points Memo|author=Strauss, Daniel |date=October 3, 2014|access-date=October 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name=ACA2>{{cite web |title=Conservative group: Ernst backed arresting feds over Obamacare|url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/joni-ernst-backed-arresting-obamacare-workers-msna427276 |work=MSNBC |date=October 3, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014|last=Sarlin |first=Benjy }}</ref><ref name=ACA3>{{cite web |title=Iowa State Legislative Candidates survey |url=http://www.campaignforliberty.org/surveys/iowa-state-legislative-candidates/ |publisher=Campaign for Liberty |access-date=October 4, 2014}}</ref> She voted for all three versions of a bill to repeal the ACA in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/us/politics/senate-votes-repeal-obamacare.html|title=How Each Senator Voted on Obamacare Repeal Proposals |last1=Parlapiano |first1=Alicia |date=2017-07-25 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2018-12-22 |last2=Andrews |first2=Wilson |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |last3=Lee |first3=Jasmine C. |last4=Shorey |first4=Rachel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2017/07/28/grassley-and-ernst-arent-abandoning-fight-rein-obamacare/520729001/ |title=Grassley and Ernst, who voted for ill-fated Obamacare repeal bills, aren't surrendering |last=Leys |first=Tony |website=]|language=en |access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref> In 2018, Ernst was one of 10 Republican senators to cosponsor a bill intended to guarantee coverage for people with ]s, though it would have allowed insurers to exclude coverage for the conditions themselves.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/403459-ten-gop-senators-introduce-bill-aimed-at-preserving-obamacares-pre-existing/ |title=GOP senators introduce bill to preserve ObamaCare's pre-existing conditions protections |date=August 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Hill |last=Hellmann |first=Jessie |access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Jeffrey |title=The GOP's New Pre-Existing Conditions Promise Is A Fraud |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gop-pre-existing-condition-promise-fraud_n_5b8053bfe4b0cd327dfc8a1c?ri18n=true |website=] |date=August 25, 2018}}</ref>

Ernst has expressed support for reforming ] and ] and endorsed a partial privatization of both programs in a 2011 Iowa Senate vote. A ] report found that the plan would increase medical costs for Medicare beneficiaries 61% by 2022, compared with 27% under the existing structure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thegazette.com/subject/news/government/fact-check/fact-check-ad-about-joni-ernst-on-medicare-20140829|title=Fact Check: Ernst on Medicare|work=]|author=Carros, Adam|access-date=August 31, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, she said there was a "generation of people that rely on the government to provide absolutely everything for them" and that removing them from government programs such as the Affordable Care Act "is going to be very painful".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Beutler |first1=Brian |title=Joni Ernst: Poor People Aren't Entitled to Food, Clothing, or Health Care |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/119892/ernst-health-care-food-clothes-too-generous-poor |magazine=The New Republic |date=17 October 2014}}</ref>

Ernst has questioned the legitimacy of how hospitals are reporting COVID-19 deaths.<ref>{{Cite web|last=erin.murphy@lee.net|first=ERIN MURPHY|title=Iowa medical group: Sen. Ernst's embrace of a COVID conspiracy theory 'offensive'|url=https://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/iowa-medical-group-sen-ernsts-embrace-of-a-covid-conspiracy-theory-offensive/article_5a701569-af76-53f8-bf9a-b76014461c04.html|access-date=2021-02-05|website=The Quad-City Times|date=September 10, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Immigration ===
In June 2018, Ernst and Democratic senators ] and ] wrote ] ] a letter saying they were "deeply troubled" by the decision to send 21 ] to prosecute immigration cases on the southern border, calling it an "inappropriate misapplication of military personnel" and urging Mattis to retain the military lawyers within the military justice system.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/393615-senators-deeply-troubled-military-lawyers-being-used-for-immigrations-cases/|title=Senators 'deeply troubled' military lawyers being used for immigration cases|last=Kheel|first=Rebecca|date=June 22, 2018|newspaper=The Hill}}</ref>

In July 2018, Ernst was one of 31 Republican senators to submit a resolution endorsing ] (ICE), saying its ] would allow "dangerous criminal aliens" and members of the ] to remain in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/396750-gop-senators-introduce-resolution-endorsing-ice/|title=GOP senators introduce resolution endorsing ICE|last=Carney|first=Jordain|date=July 12, 2018|newspaper=The Hill}}</ref>

Amid the ] that resulted after Trump demanded $5.7 billion for a ], Ernst said she would "tend to agree that not all areas of our border need a physical barrier" if they are monitored by technology or Border Patrol agents and it was possible to respond in a "timely manner".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/10/senator-joni-ernst-wall-not-needed-entire-southern-border-government-shutdown-mexico-president-trump/2537559002/|title=Sen. Joni Ernst: A wall is unnecessary along parts of U.S.-Mexico border|first=Tony|last=Leys|date=January 10, 2019|newspaper=Des Moines Register}}</ref>

=== Internet ===
Ernst opposes ], which prevents ] from blocking or slowing down certain content, and voted against reinstating it after an ] ruling in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=UPDATE: Ernst in favor of repealing Net Neutrality |url=https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Senate-Democrats-push-to-reinstate-net-neutrality-rules-482836921.html |website=] |publisher=] |date=May 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/18/iowa-senators-chuck-grassley-and-joni-ernst-just-voted-against-net-neutrality-heres-why/620294002/|title=Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst just voted against net neutrality. Here's why.|last=Hardy|first=Kevin|website=Des Moines Register|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}</ref>

In May 2020, Ernst voted for an amendment co-sponsored by Senators ] and ] that would have required federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies to obtain federal court warrants when collecting ] data from American citizens, nationals, or residents under the ] (FISA).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2018/01/20/surveillance-bill-fisa-section-702-donald-trump/|title=Senate Democrats Defend Voting In Line with Donald Trump on NSA Surveillance Bill |website=www.theintercept.com|date=January 20, 2018 |access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=2&vote=00089|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 116th Congress - 2nd Session|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref>

=== LGBTQ rights===
In a 2014 debate, Ernst said she believes that ] is a state's rights issue, but that she would support a federal ban were one proposed.<ref name=gay-marriage>{{Cite web|last=Reilly|first=Mollie|date=2014-05-29|title=GOP Senate Candidate Has Self-Contradictory Take On Gay Marriage|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joni-ernst-gay-marriage_n_5414525|access-date=2020-06-14|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref><ref name=deb>{{cite web |last1=Hohmann |first1=James |title=Ernst goes right in final Iowa debate |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/joni-ernst-election-iowa-debate-107237 |website=] |language=en |date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> In the Iowa Senate, she co-sponsored a bill to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.<ref name=focused/>

In 2017, she announced her opposition to Trump's ] on ] individuals serving in the armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/26/trump-transgender-troops-joni-ernst-240989|title=Ernst opposes Trump's ban on transgender troops|last=Everett|first=Burgess|website=] |language=en|date=July 26, 2017|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref>

Ernst was one of 12 Republican senators to vote for the ], which passed the ] on November 29, 2022.

=== Nullification ===
]]]

As a state senator, Ernst co-sponsored a resolution urging the "]" of ] rules on ] and another expressing the ]'s "refusal to recognize" federal laws "which conflict with the Second Amendment".<ref name="HuffPo072904">{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/29/joni-ernst-nullification_n_5631097.html|title=Joni Ernst Has A History Of Advocating Nullification Of Federal Laws|last1=Bobic|first1=Igor|date=July 29, 2014|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=July 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&ga=85&hbill=SJR7|title=Senate Joint Resolution SJR7|publisher=The Iowa Legislature|access-date=July 30, 2014}}</ref> In 2012, she answered "Yes" to a survey asking whether she would support legislation "nullify ] and authoriz state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement ."<ref name=ACA1/><ref name=ACA2/><ref name=ACA3/>

In 2013, Ernst said Congress should not pass laws "that the states would consider nullifying", referring to what she called "200-plus years of federal legislators going against the Tenth Amendment's states' rights."<ref name="UPI20140728">{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014/07/28/Iowa-GOP-nominee-says-states-can-nullify-federal-laws/4451406582369/|title=Iowa GOP nominee says states can nullify federal laws|last1=Levy|first1=Gabrielle|date=July 28, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2014|work=United Press International}}</ref> Courts have consistently ruled that nullification is unconstitutional.<ref name="UPI20140728" /> During her 2014 Senate campaign, Ernst's spokespeople argued that she did not support nullification, and that "her comments on it were about encouraging Iowans to send her to Washington to pass good laws."<ref name="dmr-null">{{cite news|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/07/30/ernst-braley-nullification/13358787/|title=Ernst campaign says she doesn't support nullification|last=Jacobs|first=Jennifer|date=July 30, 2014|work=Des Moines Register}}</ref>

=== Relationship with Steve King ===
Ernst's relationship with ], a Republican House Representative known for his racist rhetoric and support for ] politicians, has been criticized. In 2016, when King faced a primary challenge for his House seat, Ernst endorsed him, saying he "stands strong for life and liberty."<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/joni-ernst-endorses-steve-king-in-iowa-4th-district-20160425 |title=Joni Ernst endorses Steve King in Iowa 4th District |last=Lynch |first=James Q. |website=] |access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/steve-kings-racism-didnt-use-to-bother-republicans.html |title=Republicans Have Tolerated Steve King's Racism for a Long Time |last=Kilgore |first=Ed |date=2019-01-14 |website=] |language=en |access-date=2019-02-18}}</ref> In 2017, when King attracted criticism for saying "we can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies" and for supporting European far-right politicians, Ernst said she did not condone King's behavior but would not ask for his resignation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/joni-ernst-steve-king-babies-tweet-236203 |title=Ernst declines to ask for King's resignation over 'babies' tweet |last=Everett |first=Burgess |website=] |language=en |date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/324640-ernst-refuses-to-ask-for-king-to-resign-after-babies-tweet/|title=Ernst declines to ask for King to resign after 'babies' tweet|last=Greenwood|first=Max|date=2017-03-18|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref> In 2017, '']'' wrote a scathing editorial against King, which criticized Ernst for endorsing him in the past and not condemning him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/03/14/editorial-blasts-gop-for-denouncing-steve-kings-rhetoric-but-supporting-his-election/|title=The Des Moines Register just went off on Steve King|last=Wang|first=Amy B.|date=March 14, 2017|newspaper=]|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/03/13/editorial-gop-needs-oppose-kings-re-election-not-just-kings-words/99134588/|title=Editorial: GOP needs to oppose King's re-election, not just King's words|website=]|language=en|date=March 13, 2017|access-date=2019-02-18}}</ref> In 2018, Ernst appeared with King at a rally in his district after King had endorsed a Canadian politician with ] ties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/us/politics/steve-king-republicans-white-supremacy-.html|title=Steve King's White Supremacy Remark Is Rebuked by Iowa's Republican Senators|last=Gabriel|first=Trip|date=2019-01-11|work=]|access-date=2019-02-18|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2019, amid extensive criticism of King by Republican politicians after King made controversial remarks about ], Ernst rebuked him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/us/politics/steve-king-white-supremacy.html|title=Steve King Removed From Committee Assignments Over White Supremacy Remark|last1=Gabriel|first1=Trip|date=2019-01-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-02-18|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|last3=Fandos|first3=Nicholas}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' wrote that Ernst's belated distancing from King might harm her 2020 reelection effort, as she previously "had spent years embracing Mr. King."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/us/politics/steve-king-iowa-supporters-white-supremacy.html|title=Steve King Still Has Backing in Iowa, but Even Supporters Say 'He's Done'|last=Gabriel|first=Trip|date=2019-01-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-02-18|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Art Cullen, editor of '']'', criticized the timing of Ernst's response, which came after it started to look possible that King would lose his seat, writing "the hypocrisy is epic and comic."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/15/steve-king-republicans-iowa-hypocrisy|title=The epic hypocrisy of Republicans' sudden distaste for Steve King {{!}} Art Cullen|last=Cullen|first=Art|date=2019-01-15|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-02-18|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> '']''<nowiki/>'s editorial board questioned why it took national condemnation for Ernst to rebuke King.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/rekha-basu/2019/01/15/grassley-ernst-reynolds-steve-king-congressman-republicans/2578751002/|title=Why did it take national condemnation for Grassley, Ernst, Reynolds to call out King?|website=]|language=en|author=Basu, Rekha|access-date=2019-02-18}}</ref> Ernst did not make an endorsement in King's 2020 Republican primary race, which he lost.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lynch |first1=James |title=Sen. Joni Ernst won't endorse Rep. Steve King in 4th District GOP primary |url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/jopi-ernst-wont-endorse-steve-king-in-republican-primary-for-congress-20190725 |access-date=27 May 2020 |newspaper=] |date=July 25, 2019}}</ref>

===Trade===
In 2018, as Trump imposed ]s&nbsp;as part of his trade policy and other countries responded in kind, Ernst said she was willing to give him some leeway but worried about the impact on farmers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2A3i9bs|title='Like a Soviet-type economy': GOP free traders unload on Trump|last=Everett|first=Burgess|website=Politico|language=en|date=July 24, 2018|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> In May 2019, amid a ], Ernst said she did not like tariffs but that the "president's way of negotiating{{nbsp}}... brings people to the table."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-finance-202/2019/05/14/the-finance-202-farmers-are-bracing-for-more-tariff-pain-but-they-re-sticking-with-trump-for-now/5cd9cdcf1ad2e544f001dcfd/|title=The Finance 202: Farmers are bracing for more tariff pain. But they're sticking with Trump -- for now|date=May 14, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> She said that Iowa farmers are "disappointed" but that they recognize "that China is the one that is forcing this."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2vVtUMf|title=Republicans surrender to Trump's China tariffs|last1=Everett|first1=Burgess|last2=Levine|first2=Marianne|website=POLITICO|language=en|date=May 13, 2019|access-date=2019-05-18}}</ref>

In January 2018, Ernst was one of 36 Republican senators to sign a letter to Trump requesting he preserve and modernize the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/371492-senate-republicans-call-on-trump-to-preserve-nafta/ |title=Senate Republicans call on Trump to preserve NAFTA |first=Vicki |last=Needham |newspaper=The Hill |date=January 30, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> In August 2018, she warned that failure to finish trade deals would "reflect negatively upon our Republican candidates" and advocated completing NAFTA and continuing to work with the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/08/24/marsha-blackburn-campaign-sen-joni-ernst-us-trade-deals/1089708002/ |title=At Blackburn event, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst stresses trade deals need to be settled before November |first=Joel |last=Ebert |date=August 24, 2018 |newspaper=Tennessean.com}}</ref> In 2019, Ernst accused ] ] of "slow-walking" the passage of the ] but believed there was enough support to ratify it.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-senators-joni-ernst-chuck-grassley-optimistic-north-american-trade-deal-united-states-mexico-canada-agreement-20190703 |title=Iowa senators optimistic on North American trade deal |first=James Q. |last=Lynch |date=July 3, 2019 |newspaper=] }}</ref>

== Personal life ==
In 1992, Ernst (then Joni Culver) married Gail Ernst.<ref name=shaft>{{cite encyclopedia|article=Shafter, William Rufus, (16 Oct. 1835–12 Nov. 1906), Major-General United States Volunteers; Brigadier-General, United States Army; retired as Major-General, 30 June 1901, by Act of Congress|date=December 1, 2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u190836|encyclopedia=Who Was Who}}</ref> The Ernsts have one child.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://heavy.com/news/2014/11/joni-ernst-husband-gail-ernst-iowa-senate-facebook-daughter-army |title=Gail Ernst, Joni Ernst's Husband: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |first=Emer |last=Hughes |work=Heavy |date=November 3, 2014 |access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name="abcnews.go.com">{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joni-ernst/story?id=40278077 |title=Joni Ernst: Everything You Need to Know |website=ABC News|last=Rogin |first=Ali|date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> On August 27, 2018, Ernst announced that she and her husband were in the process of obtaining a divorce.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/joni-ernst-husband-divorce|title=Sen. Joni Ernst, Husband Divorcing|first1=Katherine |last1=Tully-McManus |date=August 28, 2018 |website=] |access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> In a sworn affidavit, Ernst said she had declined Trump's offer to be his vice-presidential running mate because "it wasn't the right thing for me or my family."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/22/joni-ernst-donald-trump-vice-president-turned-down |title=Joni Ernst says she turned down chance to be Donald Trump's vice-president |first=Ben |last=Jacobs |date=January 22, 2019 |work=] |access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> The divorce was finalized in January 2019, with Joni Ernst alleging that Gail had verbally and mentally abused her and on one occasion physically assaulted her. The Ernsts accused each other of infidelity; both denied the respective accusations.<ref name="divorce">{{Cite news |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2019/01/22/joni-ernst-gail-senator-iowa-ia-divorce-congress-politics-trump-republican-washington-des-moines/2637142002/ |title=Divorce filing: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst says her husband physically attacked her |last1=Nozicka |first1=Luke |date=January 22, 2019 |work=] |access-date=January 22, 2019 |last2=Ta |first2=Linh |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190122182055/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2019/01/22/joni-ernst-gail-senator-iowa-ia-divorce-congress-politics-trump-republican-washington-des-moines/2637142002/ |archive-date=January 22, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In her first interview after her divorce, Ernst revealed that she had been raped in college.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-24/republican-senator-joni-ernst-says-she-was-raped-in-college |title=Republican Senator Joni Ernst Says She Was Raped in College |last=Jacobs |first=Jennifer |date=January 23, 2019 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124115554/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-24/republican-senator-joni-ernst-says-she-was-raped-in-college |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Ernst is a lifetime member of the Montgomery County Republican Women, ] Post 2265, Montgomery County Court of Honor, Altrusa, PEO Chapter HB, the ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/iowas-joni-ernst-gun-will-defend-me-if-government-doesnt|title=Iowa's Joni Ernst: A gun will 'defend' me if government doesn't|date=October 23, 2014|website=MSNBC|author=Richinick, Michele|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023145345/https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/iowas-joni-ernst-gun-will-defend-me-if-government-doesnt|archive-date=October 23, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Montgomery County Farm Bureau.<ref name="JoniErnstBio"/> Her church is Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Stanton, Iowa, of the ] (ELCA) denomination.<ref name=20101118IR />

On June 13, 2018, federal judge ] sentenced Joseph Dierks, of ], to six years in prison for threatening "to kill or otherwise harm" Ernst on ]. The sentence, which exceeds sentencing guidelines, was imposed on Dierks for disparaging comments he made about Reade and threats against the case prosecutor and his children, and against black corrections officers while awaiting trial.<ref>{{cite web |title=Threats to Joni Ernst lead to prison Waterloo man receives 6 years for tweets about U.S. senator |url=https://www.thegazette.com/crime-courts/threats-to-joni-ernst-lead-to-prison/ |first=Trish |last=Mehaffey |website=] |access-date=19 April 2020}}</ref>

As of 2018, according to OpenSecrets.org, Ernst's net worth was negative, owing more than $196,000.<ref name="net-worth">{{cite web |title=Jodi Ernst - Net Worth - Personal Finances |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/net-worth?cid=N00035483&year=2018 |website=OpenSecrets.org |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>

In May 2020, she published her memoir, ''Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2020/01/27/memoir-sen-joni-ernst-iowa-coming-out-may/4591558002/|title=Memoir by Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa coming out in May|work=] | date=January 27, 2020 | agency=] }}</ref>

== Electoral history ==
{{Election box begin no change |title=]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2012/primary/canvsummary.pdf|title=2012 Primary Election Canvass Summary|website=Iowa Secretary of State|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joni Ernst
| votes = 5,611
| percentage = 99.68%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 18
| percentage = 0.32%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 5,629
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title=]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2012/general/canvsummary.pdf|title=2012 General Election Canvass Summary|website=Iowa Secretary of State|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joni Ernst
| votes = 22,205
| percentage = 99.06%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 210
| percentage = 0.93%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 22,415
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title=]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2014/primary/canvsummary.pdf|title=2014 Primary Election Canvass Summary|website=Iowa Secretary of State|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joni Ernst
| votes = 88,535
| percentage = 56.12%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = ]
| votes = 28,418
| percentage = 18.01%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Mark Jacobs
| votes = 26,523
| percentage = 16.81%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Matt Whitaker
| votes = 11,884
| percentage = 7.53%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Scott Schaben
| votes = 2,233
| percentage = 1.42%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 155
| percentage = 0.10%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 157,748
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title=]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2014/general/canvsummary.pdf|title=2014 General Election Canvass Summary|website=Iowa Secretary of State|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joni Ernst
| votes = 588,575
| percentage = 52.10%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = ]
| votes = 494,370
| percentage = 43.76%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = independent (politician)
| candidate = Rick Stewart
| votes = 26,815
| percentage = 2.37%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Douglas Butzier
| votes = 8,232
| percentage = 0.73%
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| party = Term Limits
| candidate = Bob Quast
| votes = 5,873
| percentage = 0.52%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = independent (politician)
| candidate = Ruth Smith
| votes = 4,724
| percentage = 0.41%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 1,111
| percentage = 0.10%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 1,129,700
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title=]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2020/primary/canvsummary.pdf|title=2020 Primary Election Canvass Summary|website=Iowa Secretary of State|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joni Ernst (incumbent)
| votes = 226,589
| percentage = 98.63%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 3,132
| percentage = 1.36%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 229,721
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title=]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2020/general/canvsummary.pdf|title=2020 General Election Canvass Summary|website=Iowa Secretary of State|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joni Ernst (incumbent)
| votes = 864,997
| percentage = 51.74%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Theresa Greenfield
| votes = 754,859
| percentage = 45.15%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Rick Stewart
| votes = 36,961
| percentage = 2.21%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = independent (politician)
| candidate = Suzanne Herzog
| votes = 13,800
| percentage = 0.83%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 1,211
| percentage = 0.07%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 1,671,828
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Iowa}}
* ]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* ''official campaign site''
{{wikiquote}}
* ''official Iowa Legislature site''
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219010504/https://www.ernst.senate.gov/public/ |date=December 19, 2019 }} official U.S. Senate website
* {{CongLinks
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Latest revision as of 13:49, 22 December 2024

American politician and military officer (born 1970)

Joni Ernst
Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee
Designate
Assuming office
January 3, 2025
SucceedingJeanne Shaheen
Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byRand Paul
Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
LeaderMitch McConnell
Preceded byRoy Blunt
Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
LeaderMitch McConnell
Preceded byRoy Blunt
Succeeded byShelley Moore Capito
United States Senator
from Iowa
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2015Serving with Chuck Grassley
Preceded byTom Harkin
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 12th district
In office
January 5, 2011 – November 28, 2014
Preceded byKim Reynolds
Succeeded byMark Costello
Personal details
BornJoni Kay Culver
(1970-07-01) July 1, 1970 (age 54)
Red Oak, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse Gail Ernst ​ ​(m. 1992; div. 2019)
Children1
Education
Signature
WebsiteSenate website
Military service
Branch/service
Years of service
  • 1992–1993 (reserve)
  • 1993–2015 (guard)
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit
  • 1168th Transportation Company
  • 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
WarsIraq War
Awards
Ernst's voice Ernst on federal regulations
Recorded March 7, 2023

Joni Kay Ernst (née Culver; born July 1, 1970) is an American politician and former military officer serving since 2015 as the junior United States senator from Iowa. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served in the Iowa State Senate from 2011 to 2014 and as auditor of Montgomery County from 2004 to 2011. As Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee since 2023, after having been vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference since 2019, Ernst is the fourth-ranking Republican in the Senate.

After graduating from Iowa State University, Ernst joined the United States Army Reserve. She served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. During the Iraq War, she served as the commanding officer of the 1168th Transportation Company in Kuwait and later commanded the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Camp Dodge, the Iowa Army National Guard's largest battalion. After having been Montgomery County Auditor and serving in the Iowa State Senate, Ernst was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014. She was the first Republican to win the seat since 1978. She was thought to be a possible running mate for Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign. She was reelected in 2020.

Ernst opposes legalizing abortion, and has supported a fetal personhood amendment and introduced legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. She opposes the Affordable Care Act and has called for reforms to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. During the Trump administration, she expressed concern about, although not opposition to, Trump's trade war with China and criticized some aspects of his foreign policy. Ernst voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While supporting both Trump's nominees for EPA administrator, she expressed concern over their commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard. She rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. Ernst has opposed a federal minimum wage and advocated for the elimination of federal departments such as the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency. She is considered hawkish on foreign policy.

Early life and career

Ernst was born Joni Kay Culver in Montgomery County, Iowa, the daughter of Marilyn and Richard Culver. She was valedictorian of her class at Stanton Community School District High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Iowa State University in 1992, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University in 1995. In college, she took part in an agricultural exchange to the Soviet Union.

Military career

Ernst joined Iowa State University's Reserve Officers' Training Corps program when she was 20, and the United States Army Reserve after graduating. She served as a logistics officer and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard. In 2003–2004, she spent 12 months in Kuwait as commander of the 1168th Transportation Company, during the Iraq War. Near the end of her career, she served as the commanding officer of the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Camp Dodge, the Iowa Army National Guard's largest battalion. Upon her retirement from the military in 2015, Ernst had served 23 years in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. Her awards included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

In an interview with Time Magazine in 2014, Ernst said that she was sexually harassed in the military, saying, "I had comments, passes, things like that" that she was able to stop, and said she would support removing investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases from the chain of command.

Iowa politics

Ernst was elected Montgomery County Auditor in 2004 and reelected in 2008. She was elected to the Iowa State Senate in a special election in 2011 and reelected in 2012. She represented District 12, in southwestern Iowa.

Following her election to the U.S. Senate, Ernst resigned from the Iowa State Senate, effective November 28, 2014.

U.S. Senate

Elections

2014

Main article: 2014 United States Senate election in Iowa
Ernst speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference

In July 2013, Ernst announced that she would seek the Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin. Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds endorsed her in October 2013. In March 2014, Ernst was endorsed by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to whom she has drawn comparisons. In May 2014, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a lobbying group, endorsed her.

Little known at the start of her campaign, Ernst was boosted in the Republican primary by the Koch brothers with "hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of television ads and tens of thousands of dollars in direct campaign contributions". A Koch-backed group launched an "advertising blitz", including a $257,000 campaign against Ernst's biggest Republican rival, oil executive Mark Jacobs, who had supported a proposal to limit carbon emissions that Koch Industries opposed. Ernst privately credited the Kochs and their allies for having "really started my trajectory" after her primary victory.

Ernst received widespread attention for a campaign advertisement she released in March 2014, in which she made a tongue-in-cheek comparison between her experience castrating pigs and her ability to "cut pork" in Congress. Many found the ad humorous, and it was spoofed by late-night comedians, including Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert. Before the ad aired, Ernst had struggled to raise money, and two polls of the Republican primary taken in February 2014 had shown her in second place, several points behind Mark Jacobs. After it aired, a Suffolk University poll in early April showed her with a narrow lead and a Loras College poll showed her essentially tied with Jacobs. By May, she was being described in the media as the "strong front-runner".

During the primary, Ernst promoted a conspiracy theory that a United Nations sustainable development plan, Agenda 21, could lead to farmers being forced off their land and made to live in cities, but a few months later she said she did not consider the plan a "threat".

In a May 2014 Des Moines Register interview, Ernst said she was "extremely offended" by comments Jacobs made characterizing her as AWOL due to missing over 100 votes in the legislative session. Previously, in The Gazette, Ernst cited her National Guard duty to rebuff criticism about her missing votes, but The Gazette found that only 12 of the 117 missed votes came on days when she was on duty. The other 105 missed votes represented 57% of the Iowa Senate votes that session. Ernst's spokesman said she had a better than 90% voting record during her Senate career and that she had never claimed Guard service was the only reason she had missed votes.

In July, Ernst delivered the Republican Party's weekly address, criticizing a health care scandal at the Department of Veterans Affairs and calling for a balanced budget and reform of Social Security and Medicare. Later that month, she suspended her campaign while participating in two weeks of National Guard duty.

In endorsing her for the Republican primary nomination, the Des Moines Register wrote: "Ernst is a smart, well-prepared candidate who can wrestle with the details of public policy from a conservative perspective without seeming inflexible." On October 23, Ernst canceled a scheduled meeting with the Des Moines Register's editorial board, citing the paper's negative editorials about her. The editorial board ultimately endorsed Braley, citing Ernst's calls to abolish the EPA, the Department of Education, and the federal minimum wage, as well as her support for partially privatizing Social Security and overturning the Affordable Care Act.

In the 2014 election, Ernst received $17,552,085 in "dark money", which constituted 74% of non-party outside spending in her support; she had a $14 million outside spending advantage over her opponent. In an October 2014 debate, Ernst said she “believe in political free speech” and did not see a need to change campaign finance laws.

Ernst won the 2014 Senate race, 52.2% to 43.7%. She is the first woman elected to represent Iowa in either house of Congress.

2020

Main article: 2020 United States Senate election in Iowa

Ernst ran for reelection in 2020. She was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced Democratic nominee Theresa Greenfield, a businesswoman and former congressional candidate, in the general election. Ernst was seen as the strong favorite and eventually defeated her opponent, 52% to 45%.

In December 2019, the Associated Press reported that Ernst's campaign had closely coordinated with a political nonprofit founded by a longtime consultant; such groups are tax-exempt and not required to disclose donors, but cannot make political campaigning their primary purpose and must separate their activities from candidates they support. An Ernst campaign adviser said that any implication they had acted outside the "spirit of the law" was "fake news". After the article's publication, the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission.

Tenure

Ernst speaking at a campaign event for Marco Rubio in January 2016

Ernst was sworn into the United States Senate on January 3, 2015, and thus became Iowa's first new U.S. senator since Tom Harkin in 1985. She delivered the official Republican response to the State of the Union on January 20.

In May 2016, Chris Cilizza put Ernst on his short list of possible vice presidential running mates for Donald Trump to become the 45th President of the United States. Other media outlets also mentioned her as a possible benefit to Trump's campaign. On June 16, Ernst said no one had "reached out" to her about a vice-presidential nomination. On July 4, she and Trump met privately. Trump selected Governor Mike Pence of Indiana on July 15.

In 2016, Ernst and other Republican senators introduced "Sarah's Law" in honor of Sarah Root, a 21-year-old student in Omaha who was killed in a street racing crash earlier that year.

Ernst's freshman portrait

In 2017, Ernst asked Secretary of Defense nominee James Mattis whether he would pledge to cut wasteful spending and stop sexual assault in the military, to which Mattis agreed.

In March, after photographs of nude female soldiers were posted on Facebook, Ernst said that this "type of activity creates a culture that leads to sexual assault." At a press conference two weeks later, she asked Congress to pass a law requiring people to immediately report suspected sexual assault at government facilities.

Ernst was elected vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference in November 2018.

Ernst (far right) at the signing of the INSPIRE Women Act at the White House, 2017

On the initiation of the 116th United States Congress in 2019, Ernst became the first female Republican to be appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Marsha Blackburn.

In March 2019, after the Special Counsel Investigation concluded and Attorney General William Barr released an abridged summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report, Ernst called for a release of the report's full findings, saying, "as much of the report that can be made public should be".

In August 2020, when Iowa had the most new COVID-19 infections per capita of any state in the preceding seven days, Ernst repeated a debunked conspiracy theory that the case numbers were greatly inflated and that health care providers might be falsifying them. She later walked back her statements.

After Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death in September 2020, Ernst said she supported Trump nominating a new justice before the November presidential election. Eight months before the 2016 presidential election, Ernst opposed Senate consideration of Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, saying "the American people deserve to have a say" on a decision that would "impact the course of our country for years to come". In 2018, Ernst reiterated that Supreme Court nominees should not be heard during presidential election years, telling the Des Moines Register, "It's precedent set. ... So come 2020, if there's an opening, I'm sure you'll remind me of that."

Ernst was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. She called the storming "a protest turned anarchy" and, citing that she served in the military to defend the right to peacefully protest, "a complete betrayal of those sacred ideals." When Congress returned to the certification process, Ernst voted to support certification. She opposed impeaching Trump for the attack on the Capitol, choosing to support a peaceful transfer of power and "healing our nation." In response, The Gazette editorial board wrote that Ernst and Grassley "must reckon with why they did the wrong thing for so long" regarding their support of Trump during his presidency.

in a September 2021 Fox News interview, Ernst accused President Joe Biden of overstepping presidential powers and "leading by coercion" with the newly announced "Path Out of the Pandemic" initiative, aimed at mitigating the rising threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant. "Forcing these federal mandates was one way to divert us", she said. "This is a diversion away from 9/11, away from the 20th anniversary and away from the debacle that was his Afghanistan withdrawal". The previous week, Biden had signed an executive order declassifying 9/11 documents that the victims' families had requested for many years; his agenda on September 11, 2021, included visits to three 9/11 crash sites in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

In March 2024, Ernst announced that she would run for Senate Republican Conference chair in 2025, a position that Senator Tom Cotton is also seeking.

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

In 2019, Politico called Ernst "a reliable vote for most of Trump's agenda", and as of October 2020, she had voted in line with Donald Trump's positions 91.1% of the time. The American Conservative Union's Center for Legislative Accountability gives Ernst a lifetime conservative score of 81.69. The politically liberal Americans for Democratic Action gave Ernst a score of zero for 2019.

Abortion

Ernst opposes legalized abortion. In 2013, she voted for a fetal personhood amendment in the Iowa Senate and has said that she would support a federal personhood bill. Critics, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have expressed concern that such an amendment could restrict abortion even in cases of rape or incest, as well as certain forms of birth control, although Ernst has affirmed that she supports access to birth control. In January 2020, she petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that abortion bans are unconstitutional.

In 2017, Ernst introduced legislation allowing states to block Planned Parenthood from receiving Title X grants or reimbursements for treating Medicaid patients, although Planned Parenthood clinics provide multiple family planning services and the funding does not go to abortions except in rare circumstances. Ernst supported the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling it a science-based decision.

Barack Obama

In 2014, when asked about President Barack Obama's recess appointments, Ernst called Obama a "dictator" who should be "removed from office" or face "impeachment." She said, "He is running amok. He is not following our Constitution." Later in 2014, Ernst criticized Obama's handling of the Ebola outbreak.

Diabetes and price cap for insulin

Ernst voted against capping the price of insulin at $35; she has said that she has two family members who are diabetic.

Donald Trump

In February 2020, Ernst voted to acquit Trump on both articles of impeachment (abuse of power and obstruction of Congress). She argued that Trump had learned his lesson, and that he would not ask a foreign leader to investigate his rivals again without going through the proper channels. At the same time, she suggested that Joe Biden could be impeached if he becomes president over his actions in Ukraine.

In May 2020, Ernst praised Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "he was right on it from day one". On May 28, 2021, Ernst voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

Economic policy

Ernst opposes a federal minimum wage and has said that states should have sole authority to set their minimum wages. She voted against a minimum wage increase in the state Senate. In response to a Congressional Budget Office report projecting that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour would lift 900,000 people out of poverty but cost 500,000 people their jobs, Ernst said, "government-mandated wage increases are not the solution."

Ernst has proposed eliminating the Internal Revenue Service. In the state Senate, she worked on legislation that reduced property taxes. In 2014, she said she supports a "fairer, flatter, and simpler" federal tax code, a reduction in discretionary spending and spending on social programs, and a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget. In 2017, she voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Ernst has expressed support for the partial privatization of Social Security accounts for young workers while making clear that "we have to keep our promises to seniors".

In May 2018, Ernst was one of nine Republican senators to introduce a rescission package meant to fulfill Trump's wish to curb previously approved spending by $15.4 billion as part of an attempt to roll out the legislation to ensure it reached the Senate floor within a 45-day window.

Education

Ernst supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, saying she "believe our children are better educated when it's coming from the state." While states handle almost all education policy decisions, the Department of Education conducts nationwide research, monitors for discrimination, and distributes student financial aid through loans and grants. In 2014, Ernst claimed, inaccurately, that 94% of employees at the Department of Education had been deemed “nonessential” and argued funding would be better spent at the state and local level. PolitiFact calculated that hypothetically reassigning all employees to non-federal positions would increase state and local education staffing by “4/100ths of 1 percent”. In February 2017, Ernst voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary, saying they shared a belief that those "closest" to students know what is best for them.

Environment

Ernst rejects the scientific consensus on climate change and has said that any governmental regulation to address it should be "very small." In a 2014 debate, she said, "I don't know the science behind climate change. I can't say one way or another what is the direct impact from whether it's manmade or not." In 2018, after the release of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, detailing the impact of climate change, Ernst said that "our climate always changes and we see those ebb and flows through time".

In her 2014 Senate campaign, Ernst won support from the Koch brothers and affiliated groups, who helped propel her ahead of a primary opponent who backed a proposal to limit carbon emissions. In 2014, she said she is "adamantly opposed" to cap-and-trade, a market-based approach to reducing carbon emissions. She supported Trump's 2017 decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accords.

Ernst has called for eliminating the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2014, she criticized the impact of the Clean Water Act on farms and businesses and said she would have voted against the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill.

After voting to confirm Trump nominee Scott Pruitt as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Ernst said in 2018 that he had lied to her about upholding the Renewable Fuel Standard, which mandates a minimum proportion of ethanol that must be mixed with fuel, while calling Pruitt "about as swampy as you get". In February 2019, Ernst voted to confirm Trump's new nominee for EPA administrator, Andrew Wheeler. In June 2019, she said she had asked Trump and Wheeler to limit the issuing of RFS waivers, saying they were being handed out "like candy" without congressional oversight.

As of September 2020, Ernst has a 1% lifetime score from the environmentalist League of Conservation Voters.

Foreign policy

Ernst speaking to Navy Vice Admiral Michael M. Gilday during an Armed Services Committee hearing in 2019

Afghanistan

In October 2015, Ernst said that Obama lacked "a clear coherent strategy in Afghanistan" amid the rise of Taliban forces and ISIS. In August 2021, she called the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan "rapid and haphazard" and "shameful", chiding the Biden administration for removing troops before guaranteeing the safety of the U.S. embassy.

Iran

Ernst opposed the Iran deal negotiated by the Obama administration. In January 2020, she expressed support for the US military's assassination of Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani by drone strike at Baghdad International Airport.

Iraq

Of the Iraq War and weapons of mass destruction, she said, "We don't know that there were weapons on the ground when we went in. However, I do have reason to believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That was the intelligence that was operated on. I have reason to believe there was weapons of mass destruction. My husband served in Saudi Arabia as an Army Central Command sergeant major for a year and that's a hot-button topic in that area." After criticism from Iowa Democrats and some commentators, Ernst then issued a statement that she had not meant to suggest that Iraq had WMD at the time of invasion, but rather that Iraq had used WMDs in the past, and that her point was that "we don't know exactly what happened to those weapons."

When asked whether she supports the limited airstrikes conducted in Iraq in August 2014, Ernst said, "What I can say is what I would have supported is leaving additional troops in Iraq longer and perhaps we wouldn't have this situation today."

Israel

In October 2023, days after the beginning of the Israel–Hamas war, Ernst led a congressional delegation to meetings with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, other Israeli leaders, and American civilians in Israel. She said the meetings were meant to "reassure the leadership in Israel as well as a number of American families that were there that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel".

In July 2024, before Netanyahu gave a speech to Congress, Ernst led a Republican press conference "demanding action from this waffling White House" and called for U.S. sanctions and weapons to help Israel defeat Hamas. She also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for not attending the speech, calling her absence "a disgrace" and asking what duties Harris would neglect if elected president.

Korean conflict

In June 2018, Ernst questioned Trump's decision to suspend joint military exercises with South Korea. In July, she advocated that the United States continue the exercises in case talks between the US and North Korea did not continue.

Ernst with Republican Senators and Defense Secretary Ash Carter at the 2016 International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit in Singapore

Russia

In 2017, Ernst called Russia's behavior, including its annexation of Crimea and interference in U.S. elections, "totally unacceptable" and said Trump should "show strength against Vladimir Putin". The next year, she urged caution if the U.S. worked with Russia to "put a lid on Iran", saying that Russia would never be "a true friend or ally" to the U.S. She cited North Korea as another case where caution should be maintained when cooperating to make the world "a safer place". After the 2018 Russia-United States summit later that month, Ernst expressed hope that Trump had "delivered a strong message" that Russia would be punished for its annexation of Ukraine, support of Bashar al-Assad, and "aggressive actions in U.S. domestic policy", and that Trump had discussed Russia's actions in the Balkans.

In February 2024, Ernst and Grassley broke with most Senate Republicans to vote for a $95 billion foreign aid bill that included $60 billion to support Ukraine. Ernst said that Congress was "equipping America to push back against our adversaries' aggression" and that the bill was "critical to reversing President Biden's weakness on the world stage that has abandoned our partners, emboldened authoritarians, and put American lives at risk."

Syrian civil war

In 2015, Ernst said the U.S. should halt the admission of Syrian refugees, saying the United States needs a "thorough vetting process".

In 2018, after missile strikes against Syria, Ernst said that she would be "uncomfortable" if Trump wanted to commit more American troops there, saying it was secondary to fighting ISIS. After Trump announced the withdrawal of troops from Syria, Ernst was one of six senators to sign a letter expressing concern, calling the move a "premature and costly mistake" that would "embolden ISIS, Bashar al Assad, Iran, and Russia."

In 2019, Ernst was one of six senators to sign a bipartisan letter to Trump calling on him to "urge Turkey to end their offensive and find a way to a peaceful resolution while supporting our Kurdish partners to ensure regional stability" and arguing that leaving Syria without installing protections for American allies endangered both them and the US.

Yemen

In March 2018, Ernst voted to table a resolution spearheaded by Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, and Mike Lee that would have required Trump to withdraw American troops either in or influencing Yemen within the next 30 days unless they were combating Al-Qaeda. In November 2018, following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Ernst said that Saudi Arabia was a "great strategic partner" but that Congress should consider a legislative response due to the commitment of the United States to human rights and the rule of law. She added that Trump should become involved "if there are indicators coming from those intelligence agencies". In December, Ernst warned that a resolution withdrawing American support for the Saudi Arabia-led intervention in Yemen could complicate peace talks in Yemen and that, although Saudi Arabia should be punished for Khashoggi's death, "those consequences are I see as right now are separate from the discussion of the Saudis and their actions in Yemen engaging the Houthis."

Gun policy

Ernst supports open carry legislation, which allows guns to be carried openly in public. In 2019, she was one of 31 Republican cosponsors of a bill to grant those with concealed carry privileges in their home state the right to carry concealed weapons in other states with concealed carry laws.

In a 2014 debate, speaking about the Santa Barbara shooting, Ernst said, "Just because of a horrible, horrible tragedy, I don't believe we should be infringing upon people's Second Amendment rights." After the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, she said that mental illness was the "root cause" of many mass shootings. She later cosponsored a bill to require federal authorities to inform states within a day if a person failing a background check attempted to buy a firearm.

In 2017, amid bipartisan momentum for bump stock restrictions, Ernst was one of 10 Republican senators to sign a letter requesting that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives review a decision that bump stocks fall outside the purview of existing gun regulations.

According to data from OpenSecrets, the NRA spent $3,124,273 in support of Ernst between 2014 and 2018, mostly attacking candidates running against her.

Health care

Ernst opposes the Affordable Care Act. The Campaign for Liberty reported that in 2012 Ernst had answered "Yes" to a survey question asking whether she would support legislation that would "nullify ObamaCare and authorize state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement ." She voted for all three versions of a bill to repeal the ACA in 2017. In 2018, Ernst was one of 10 Republican senators to cosponsor a bill intended to guarantee coverage for people with preexisting conditions, though it would have allowed insurers to exclude coverage for the conditions themselves.

Ernst has expressed support for reforming Medicare and Medicaid and endorsed a partial privatization of both programs in a 2011 Iowa Senate vote. A CBO report found that the plan would increase medical costs for Medicare beneficiaries 61% by 2022, compared with 27% under the existing structure. In 2013, she said there was a "generation of people that rely on the government to provide absolutely everything for them" and that removing them from government programs such as the Affordable Care Act "is going to be very painful".

Ernst has questioned the legitimacy of how hospitals are reporting COVID-19 deaths.

Immigration

In June 2018, Ernst and Democratic senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Patrick Leahy wrote Defense Secretary James Mattis a letter saying they were "deeply troubled" by the decision to send 21 Judge Advocate General's Corps to prosecute immigration cases on the southern border, calling it an "inappropriate misapplication of military personnel" and urging Mattis to retain the military lawyers within the military justice system.

In July 2018, Ernst was one of 31 Republican senators to submit a resolution endorsing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying its abolition would allow "dangerous criminal aliens" and members of the MS-13 gang to remain in the U.S.

Amid the 2018–19 United States federal government shutdown that resulted after Trump demanded $5.7 billion for a border wall, Ernst said she would "tend to agree that not all areas of our border need a physical barrier" if they are monitored by technology or Border Patrol agents and it was possible to respond in a "timely manner".

Internet

Ernst opposes net neutrality, which prevents internet service providers from blocking or slowing down certain content, and voted against reinstating it after an FCC ruling in 2018.

In May 2020, Ernst voted for an amendment co-sponsored by Senators Steve Daines and Ron Wyden that would have required federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies to obtain federal court warrants when collecting web search engine data from American citizens, nationals, or residents under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

LGBTQ rights

In a 2014 debate, Ernst said she believes that same-sex marriage is a state's rights issue, but that she would support a federal ban were one proposed. In the Iowa Senate, she co-sponsored a bill to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

In 2017, she announced her opposition to Trump's ban on transgender individuals serving in the armed forces.

Ernst was one of 12 Republican senators to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act, which passed the Senate on November 29, 2022.

Nullification

Ernst speaking at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference

As a state senator, Ernst co-sponsored a resolution urging the "nullification" of EPA rules on emissions standards and another expressing the Iowa General Assembly's "refusal to recognize" federal laws "which conflict with the Second Amendment". In 2012, she answered "Yes" to a survey asking whether she would support legislation "nullify ObamaCare and authoriz state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement ."

In 2013, Ernst said Congress should not pass laws "that the states would consider nullifying", referring to what she called "200-plus years of federal legislators going against the Tenth Amendment's states' rights." Courts have consistently ruled that nullification is unconstitutional. During her 2014 Senate campaign, Ernst's spokespeople argued that she did not support nullification, and that "her comments on it were about encouraging Iowans to send her to Washington to pass good laws."

Relationship with Steve King

Ernst's relationship with Steve King, a Republican House Representative known for his racist rhetoric and support for far-right politicians, has been criticized. In 2016, when King faced a primary challenge for his House seat, Ernst endorsed him, saying he "stands strong for life and liberty." In 2017, when King attracted criticism for saying "we can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies" and for supporting European far-right politicians, Ernst said she did not condone King's behavior but would not ask for his resignation. In 2017, The Des Moines Register wrote a scathing editorial against King, which criticized Ernst for endorsing him in the past and not condemning him. In 2018, Ernst appeared with King at a rally in his district after King had endorsed a Canadian politician with neo-Nazi ties.

In 2019, amid extensive criticism of King by Republican politicians after King made controversial remarks about white supremacy, Ernst rebuked him. The New York Times wrote that Ernst's belated distancing from King might harm her 2020 reelection effort, as she previously "had spent years embracing Mr. King." Art Cullen, editor of The Storm Lake Times, criticized the timing of Ernst's response, which came after it started to look possible that King would lose his seat, writing "the hypocrisy is epic and comic." The Des Moines Register's editorial board questioned why it took national condemnation for Ernst to rebuke King. Ernst did not make an endorsement in King's 2020 Republican primary race, which he lost.

Trade

In 2018, as Trump imposed tariffs as part of his trade policy and other countries responded in kind, Ernst said she was willing to give him some leeway but worried about the impact on farmers. In May 2019, amid a trade war between the United States and China, Ernst said she did not like tariffs but that the "president's way of negotiating ... brings people to the table." She said that Iowa farmers are "disappointed" but that they recognize "that China is the one that is forcing this."

In January 2018, Ernst was one of 36 Republican senators to sign a letter to Trump requesting he preserve and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement. In August 2018, she warned that failure to finish trade deals would "reflect negatively upon our Republican candidates" and advocated completing NAFTA and continuing to work with the European Union. In 2019, Ernst accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of "slow-walking" the passage of the USMCA trade agreement but believed there was enough support to ratify it.

Personal life

In 1992, Ernst (then Joni Culver) married Gail Ernst. The Ernsts have one child. On August 27, 2018, Ernst announced that she and her husband were in the process of obtaining a divorce. In a sworn affidavit, Ernst said she had declined Trump's offer to be his vice-presidential running mate because "it wasn't the right thing for me or my family." The divorce was finalized in January 2019, with Joni Ernst alleging that Gail had verbally and mentally abused her and on one occasion physically assaulted her. The Ernsts accused each other of infidelity; both denied the respective accusations.

In her first interview after her divorce, Ernst revealed that she had been raped in college.

Ernst is a lifetime member of the Montgomery County Republican Women, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2265, Montgomery County Court of Honor, Altrusa, PEO Chapter HB, the National Rifle Association of America, and the Montgomery County Farm Bureau. Her church is Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Stanton, Iowa, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) denomination.

On June 13, 2018, federal judge Linda Reade sentenced Joseph Dierks, of Waterloo, Iowa, to six years in prison for threatening "to kill or otherwise harm" Ernst on Twitter. The sentence, which exceeds sentencing guidelines, was imposed on Dierks for disparaging comments he made about Reade and threats against the case prosecutor and his children, and against black corrections officers while awaiting trial.

As of 2018, according to OpenSecrets.org, Ernst's net worth was negative, owing more than $196,000.

In May 2020, she published her memoir, Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me.

Electoral history

Iowa State Senate 12th district Republican primary, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joni Ernst 5,611 99.68%
Write-in 18 0.32%
Total votes 5,629 100%
Iowa State Senate 12th district general election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joni Ernst 22,205 99.06%
Write-in 210 0.93%
Total votes 22,415 100%
U.S. Senate Republican primary election in Iowa, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joni Ernst 88,535 56.12%
Republican Sam Clovis 28,418 18.01%
Republican Mark Jacobs 26,523 16.81%
Republican Matt Whitaker 11,884 7.53%
Republican Scott Schaben 2,233 1.42%
Write-in 155 0.10%
Total votes 157,748 100%
U.S. Senate general election in Iowa, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joni Ernst 588,575 52.10%
Democratic Bruce Braley 494,370 43.76%
independent (politician) Rick Stewart 26,815 2.37%
Libertarian Douglas Butzier 8,232 0.73%
Term Limits Bob Quast 5,873 0.52%
independent (politician) Ruth Smith 4,724 0.41%
Write-in 1,111 0.10%
Total votes 1,129,700 100%
U.S. Senate Republican primary election in Iowa, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joni Ernst (incumbent) 226,589 98.63%
Write-in 3,132 1.36%
Total votes 229,721 100%
U.S. Senate general election in Iowa, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joni Ernst (incumbent) 864,997 51.74%
Democratic Theresa Greenfield 754,859 45.15%
Libertarian Rick Stewart 36,961 2.21%
independent (politician) Suzanne Herzog 13,800 0.83%
Write-in 1,211 0.07%
Total votes 1,671,828 100%

See also

References

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