Joni Ernst announced this week she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as the nation’s next secretary of defense, it underlined President-elect Donald Trump’s immense sway over Congress and the grassroots in Iowa as he returns to the White House.

(ABC 6 News) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has found an ally across the aisle in helping pass “Sarah’s Law.” It is in honor of Sarah Root, who was killed by a drunk driver back in 2016. The bill is currently being considered as an amendment to the Laken Riley Act, which is on the Senate floor.

The Iowa senator supports Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, despite allegations of assault and drinking — but she doesn’t want to talk about it.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst announced that she would vote for Pete Hegseth to become Defense Secretary, making his path to Senate confirmation much easier.

Senator Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) quietly scored an early victory for those seeking to make the federal government more efficient under President-elect Donald Trump. Ernst secured a requirement in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 to have the General Services Administration sell off the Wilbur J.

Joni Ernst had been seen as a key hurdle to Pete Hegseth’s confirmation. She approached her questions firmly but without confrontation Tuesday.

Letters published Jan. 13-19, 2025, deal with state government and the resolution of Des Moines' Greenwood Park art installation saga.

Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst confirmed her support for former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense late

Legislation named after an Iowan killed in a drunken driving crash by an immigrant who was not legally authorized to be in the United States gained traction this week as the U.S. Senate moved ahead on a Republican-led immigration bill.

Ernst, an Army veteran and rape survivor, had previously expressed concerns over Hegseth’s past comments about women in combat roles and the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against

Ernst previously expressed an openness to supporting Hegseth after she had "encouraging conversations" with him last month, but held off on officially endorsing him until after the hearing.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she will support Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the U.S. Defense Department. Ernst issued a written statement of support after Hegseth appeared yesterday at a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.