Joni Ernst — Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa, 2026

Senator Joni Ernst has advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, stating that 'one-off responses' are insufficient and that tragedies should prompt meaningful changes focusing on both border security and humane processing. She co-sponsored and successfully passed the 'Sarah’s Law' amendment, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to detain non-citizens charged with or convicted of crimes resulting in death or serious injury. Ernst has also called for the administration to enforce existing immigration laws.

Senator Joni Ernst voted against the Affordable Care Act extension in 2025, citing its high cost and lack of transparency from insurance companies. She supported the Republican Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, stating it would lower healthcare costs, prevent fraud, and increase market competition. Ernst advocates for strengthening Medicaid by directing benefits to vulnerable populations, proposing that able-bodied recipients engage in work or training activities to maintain eligibility.

““What we have to do is make sure that those that are not eligible by the federal standard for Medicaid are not receiving Medicaid,” Ernst said. “What we do need to do is make sure that those that are part of a vulnerable population have access to Medicaid and receive those full benefits. So what we’re trying to do is strengthen Medicaid by directing the dollars to the people that actually meet the requirements of the program.” (Joni Ernst, iowacapitaldispatch.com, 2025/05/30)”

Joni Ernst supports an all-of-the-above energy approach that prioritizes domestic production and energy independence, aiming to balance environmental protection with economic impact. She supported the Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act and the Growing Climate Solutions Act to aid farmers in carbon credit markets. She also co-sponsored an amendment to remove a new tax on solar and wind projects. Additionally, she has supported rollbacks of certain environmental regulations.

“We all want clean water and clean air, and I believe in a commonsense and cost-effective way to protect our environment. Any policies designed to protect the environment should take into consideration the impact they will have on American consumers and also on our businesses and their ability to compete globally and create jobs. Through incentives and innovation, we can work together to protect our environment and promote clean energy without heavy-handed government mandates. — Joni Ernst, from her Senate website, 'Energy & Environment' priorities page.”

Joni Ernst is a pro-life advocate who voted for legislation to protect unborn children at 20 weeks after fertilization and require care for abortion survivors. She supports the Life at Conception Act and introduced the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act. Senator Ernst also introduced the Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act to redirect federal funding from Planned Parenthood. She emphasizes the inherent value of every human life, earning an "A+" on the Susan B. Anthony List National Pro-Life Scorecard.

““We must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to defending the most vulnerable among us – the unborn,” said Ernst. “Today, and every day, I am proud to stand up for life. We should be focused on funding women’s health instead of fueling the abortion-on-demand agenda championed by radical left-wing groups.””

Joni Ernst voted against an amendment that would have placed a reservation on Finnish and Swedish accession to NATO, aligning with Foreign Policy for America's positive scoring for opposing the measure. She also supported the CHIPS and Science Act, which invests in supply chains and strengthens U.S. capacity in strategic sectors like semiconductors and STEM innovation. Additionally, Senator Ernst voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense after discussing his qualifications.

“Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense." - Sen. Joni Ernst, statement issued Tuesday evening, as reported by ABC News”

Joni Ernst believes education should be managed at the state and local level rather than by federal entities. She supports the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to end federally prescribed academic standards, including Common Core, giving states more flexibility. Ernst also backed bipartisan bills to provide students and families with better information on college costs and introduced the JOBS Act, which would allow Pell Grants for short-term job training programs.

“As a mother, I believe education should be handled at the state and local level, by Iowans, not Washington bureaucrats. (Joni Ernst, ernst.senate.gov/priorities/education)”

Senator Joni Ernst voted for the bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022, stating it helps keep children and schools safe and provides mental health access without restricting law-abiding gun owners. She introduced the FIREARM Act to prevent the ATF from being used for gun control. Ernst consistently supports gun owners' rights, asserting that taxpayers should not fund groups working against the Second Amendment. She earned an A+ on the 2024 NSSF Congressional Report Card.

“"This bill does not take away the rights of any law-abiding American," Ernst said in a statement. "Every American wants to keep our kids and our schools safe and provide folks access to mental health treatment, and this proposal helps do that without placing new restrictions on law-abiding gun owners." (Joni Ernst, statement, Des Moines Register, June 23, 2022)”