Joni Ernst

What they've actually done about it

Each commitment below is something this senator has publicly said they would pursue, followed by the concrete record on it: bills they authored or cosponsored, floor speeches they gave. We describe the record — we don't grade it.

• Defense

  Support Military Families and Veterans

  Will advocate for legislation that directly benefits military families, including child care access, and honors the service and sacrifice of active duty personnel and veterans. (e.g., HERO Child Care for Military Families Act, Blue Star Mothers Day Act)

  Where it stands: Senator Ernst has sponsored the HERO Child Care for Military Families Act and cosponsored the Expanding Access to Military Child Care Act of 2025, both of which are pending in committee and directly relate to child care access for military families.

  On the record: 24 bills · 1 speech

  See the 8 records behind this

  • Bill authoredHERO Child Care for Military Families ActLatest action 2026-04-16
  • Bill authoredIowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration ActLatest action 2026-02-11
  • Bill cosponsoredPRO Veterans Act of 2024Latest action 2024-09-17
  • Bill authoredUnited States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal ActLatest action 2022-06-07
  • Bill cosponsoredMilitary Learning for Credit Act of 2025Latest action 2026-03-18
  • Bill cosponsoredExpanding Access to Military Child Care Act of 2025Latest action 2025-06-26
  • Bill cosponsoredDaniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide ActLatest action 2025-06-17
  • Bill cosponsoredServicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research ActLatest action 2025-12-02
  • Their bills on Congress.gov
  • Congressional Record: “defense military families veterans”
  • Floor video on C-SPAN
  • Statements on ernst.senate.gov
• Democracy

  Improve Government Operational Efficiency

  Will push for reforms that modernize government operations, streamline processes, and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens and political interference. (e.g., Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act, Ending Subsidies for Political Junk Mail Act, RED TAPE Act)

  Where it stands: Senator Ernst has sponsored several bills related to government efficiency, including the 'RED TAPE Act' and 'Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act', both of which have had committee hearings, and she cosponsored the 'Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act' which was ordered to be reported favorably.

  On the record: 25 bills

  See the 8 records behind this

  • Bill authoredProspectus Modernization Act of 2026Latest action 2026-02-05
  • Bill authoredRED TAPE ActLatest action 2025-11-19
  • Bill authoredPresidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2025Latest action 2025-02-12
  • Bill authoredTaxpayer-Funded Union Time Transparency ActLatest action 2024-03-14
  • Bill authoredExecutive Branch Emissions Transparency ActLatest action 2023-06-22
  • Bill authoredPresidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2023Latest action 2023-02-16
  • Bill authoredNon-Essential Workers Transparency ActLatest action 2025-10-14
  • Bill authoredDelivering On Government Efficiency in Spending ActLatest action 2025-12-10
  • Their bills on Congress.gov
  • Congressional Record: “democracy improve government operational efficiency”
  • Floor video on C-SPAN
  • Statements on ernst.senate.gov
• Agriculture

  Support Agricultural Communities

  Will sponsor legislation and resolutions that recognize the importance of agriculture, support farmers, and address specific needs within the sector. (e.g., Specialized Infant Formula Protection Act, resolution designating March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day", Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act)

  Where it stands: Senator Ernst has sponsored resolutions designating 'National Women in Agriculture Day' in multiple years, including an active resolution for 2026, and co-sponsored resolutions for 'National FFA Week' and 'National Farmers Market Week', and has sponsored the 'Food Security and Farm Protection Act' which is currently referred to committee.

  On the record: 25 bills

  See the 8 records behind this

  • Bill cosponsoredA resolution designating the week of August 3 through August 9, 2025, as "National Farmers Market Week".Latest action 2025-07-30
  • Bill cosponsoredFarmers First Act of 2025Latest action 2025-07-15
  • Bill cosponsoredA resolution designating the week of August 4 through August 10, 2024, as "National Farmers Market Week".Latest action 2024-07-30
  • Bill cosponsoredA resolution expressing support for the designation of February 15 through February 22, 2025, as "National FFA Week", recognizing the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and celebrating the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America Federal charter.Latest action 2025-02-21
  • Bill authoredA resolution designating March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day".Latest action 2026-03-19
  • Bill authoredFood Security and Farm Protection ActLatest action 2025-04-08
  • Bill cosponsoredA resolution designating the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week".Latest action 2026-07-30
  • Bill authoredA resolution designating March 21, 2024, as "National Women in Agriculture Day".Latest action 2024-03-20
  • Their bills on Congress.gov
  • Congressional Record: “agriculture agricultural communities”
  • Floor video on C-SPAN
  • Statements on ernst.senate.gov
• Justice

  Enhance Accountability in Federal Programs

  Will pursue measures to ensure individuals and entities ineligible due to misconduct, such as sex crimes, cannot participate in federal programs, and promote accountability in contracting. (e.g., No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act, Stop 8(a) Contracting Fraud Act)

  Where it stands: Senator Ernst sponsored a bill 'to make certain individuals and entities ineligible to participate in Federal programs' (sponsored 2026-08-06) which was recently referred to committee, directly addressing a core component of her promise.

  On the record: 20 bills

  See the 8 records behind this

  • Bill authoredNo Cash for Cohabitating Kins of Crooks ActLatest action 2026-08-06
  • Bill authoredStop 8(a) Contracting Fraud ActLatest action 2025-12-10
  • Bill authoredAccountability in Women-Owned Small Business Contracting ActLatest action 2023-05-04
  • Bill authoredPutting an N to Learing about Fraud ActLatest action 2026-01-29
  • Bill authoredAccountability in Foreign Animal Research ActLatest action 2025-04-10
  • Bill cosponsoredPermitting Transparency and Accountability ActLatest action 2026-08-06
  • Bill authoredPreventing Fugitive Fraudsters ActLatest action 2026-06-24
  • Bill authoredExpanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019Latest action 2019-06-12
  • Their bills on Congress.gov
  • Congressional Record: “justice enhance accountability federal programs”
  • Floor video on C-SPAN
  • Statements on ernst.senate.gov
• Economy

  Reduce Government Waste and Fraud

  Will work to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending, prevent fraudulent payments, and improve fiscal responsibility in federal agencies. (e.g., Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act, COST Act, Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025)

  Where it stands: Senator Ernst sponsored the 'Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act' which was introduced on 2026-06-10 and is currently referred to committee.

  On the record: 25 bills

  See the 8 records behind this

  • Bill authoredStopping Fraudulent Payments ActLatest action 2026-06-10
  • Bill authoredPreventing Fugitive Fraudsters ActLatest action 2026-06-24
  • Bill cosponsoredEnding Improper Payments to Deceased People ActLatest action 2026-02-10
  • Bill authoredSnap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments ActLatest action 2025-01-29
  • Bill authoredProtecting American Taxpayers ActLatest action 2026-07-14
  • Bill authoredNo Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals ActLatest action 2026-04-30
  • Bill authoredProtecting American Taxpayers ActLatest action 2026-04-27
  • Bill authoredEnd-of-Year Fiscal Responsibility ActLatest action 2026-03-18
  • Their bills on Congress.gov
  • Congressional Record: “economy reduce government waste fraud”
  • Floor video on C-SPAN
  • Statements on ernst.senate.gov
• Economy

  Strengthen Small Business Environment

  Will champion initiatives to support small businesses, including fraud enforcement and recognition of their economic contributions to communities. (e.g., Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act, resolution for National Small Business Week)

  Where it stands: Senator Ernst sponsored the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, which became Public Law No: 119-83, and multiple resolutions for National Small Business Week were agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

  On the record: 25 bills

  See the 8 records behind this

  • Bill authoredService-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business ActLatest action 2022-11-14
  • Bill authoredChildcare DESERTS ActLatest action 2022-12-14
  • Bill authoredSBA Collections Act of 2023Latest action 2023-03-30
  • Bill authoredRED TAPE ActLatest action 2025-11-19
  • Bill authoredProve It Act of 2025Latest action 2025-11-19
  • Bill cosponsoredUpward Mobility Act of 2026Latest action 2026-06-03
  • Bill authoredA resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week" to celebrate the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in every community in the United States.Latest action 2026-04-29
  • Bill authoredEnd-of-Year Fiscal Responsibility ActLatest action 2026-03-18
  • Their bills on Congress.gov
  • Congressional Record: “economy strengthen small business environment”
  • Floor video on C-SPAN
  • Statements on ernst.senate.gov

Everything here is sourced from public records — Congress.gov, the Congressional Record, and the member's own statements. Nothing is scored or ranked. How we research these profiles.