Joni Ernst represents Iowa in the U.S. Senate since January 2015. She has been a senior Republican voice on veterans affairs and women in the military.
Four promises chosen to span how voters across the political spectrum view this politician's record.
Worked with Sen. Gillibrand on military sexual-assault reform. The 2021 NDAA provisions removed prosecution from chain of command but at a narrower scope than Gillibrand initially proposed.
Cut taxes / extend TCJA.
Voted YES on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (December 2017). Has consistently supported TCJA-extension framework.
Confirm conservative judges.
Voted YES on Justices Gorsuch (2017), Kavanaugh (2018), and Barrett (2020). Dobbs (2022) overturned Roe with all three in the majority.
Repeal Obamacare.
Voted YES on the 2017 'skinny repeal' (failed 49-51, McCain thumbs-down). Per /methodology, when the politician voted yes but the bill failed by a single dissenting vote from their own party, that's PARTIAL rather than BROKEN.
Pro-life / restrict abortion.
Voted NO on the Women's Health Protection Act. Supported confirmation of pro-life justices who overturned Roe.
Defend Second Amendment.
Voted NO on most federal gun-control measures during tenure. NRA rating A or A+.
Aggressive border enforcement.
Voted YES on H.R. 2 framework. Position on the February 2024 Bipartisan Border Bill varied; comprehensive enforcement legislation did not pass during the Biden administration.
Energy independence / oppose fossil-fuel restrictions.
Voted to expedite energy permitting and against Biden-era leasing restrictions. U.S. became net energy exporter (2019).
Hold the line on federal spending.
Voted YES on TCJA (CBO-projected $1.9T deficit) and CARES Act ($2.2T). National debt rose substantially during tenure.
Defend religious liberty.
Voted NO on the Respect for Marriage Act (citing religious-liberty concerns) and supported religious-liberty appropriations provisions.
Support Israel.
Voted YES on Israel aid packages. Co-sponsored multiple Israel-support measures.
Confirm Trump cabinet nominees.
Voted yes on Trump nominees including AG, SecDef, DNI, Treasury during the 119th Congress.
Block Biden judicial nominees.
Voted no on most Biden judicial nominees in minority. Could not block confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (April 2022, 53-47).
Withdraw federal support for sanctuary cities.
Multiple bills introduced restricting federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions; none reached final passage during the term.
With enough demand for objective journalism, SEALED Press researches and writes the next book in the series — full case studies, paper trails, and color-coded verdicts on every promise this politician has made.