Joni Ernst
Republican · Senator for Iowa
100 sponsored · 209 cosponsored
In the Senate since 2015
Age 56
Contact their office: (202) 224-3254 · 260 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 · Official website
In the 119th Congress (2025–2026)
- Sponsored 100 bills.The typical senator sponsored 61. Bills they wrote, not ones they signed on to.
- 7 bills they backed became law.2 they wrote, 5 they cosponsored.
- 11 passed the Senate and wait on the House.The House has to pass the same text before it can become law.
- Missed 21 of 915 recorded votes (2.3%).The typical senator missed 2.2%. The record doesn’t say why.
- Works most on government operations and politics and agriculture and food.50 and 28 of the 309 bills they wrote or backed.
What they got done
Most bills never get a vote. These are the ones they wrote or backed that got somewhere.
Became law (7)
This bill requires an annual report of taxpayer-funded projects that are over budget and behind schedule.
Became law · 119-S-766
- Yes: Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?The bill requires public disclosure of details regarding massive taxpayer-funded projects via the OMB website. +8
This act extends the SBIR and STTR programs through September 30, 2031.
Became law · 119-S-3971
- Yes: Would business owners be better off under this?The bill significantly expands the scope and funding availability for small business owners via the SBIR/STTR programs. +9
This bill aims to improve coordination between Federal and State agencies and the Do Not Pay working system.
Became law · 119-S-269
- Yes: Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?Enhances oversight and coordination to eliminate improper payments. +5
And 4 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Passed one chamber, waiting on the other (11)
Halfway: the other chamber has to pass the same text before it can go to the President.
This bill aims to amend the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. The primary goal is to ensure that other transaction agreements are reported to USAspending.gov.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-872
- Yes: Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?The bill mandates more rigorous reporting and centralizing of data to USAspending.gov to improve visibility into federal spending. +7
This act aims to extend the statute of limitations for fraud related to specific pandemic programs.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-1199
- Yes: Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?The bill mandates detailed reports to Congress on DOJ investigation and prosecution activities. +5
- No: Would business owners be better off under this?Business owners involved in these programs face a significantly longer window for potential legal action. -3
This bill aims to establish a National STEM Week to promote American innovation. This week is intended to enhance STEM education pathways for all students, including those in rural, urban, and underserved communities.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-1070
- Yes: Would students be better off under this?The entire act is designed to enhance educational pathways and career opportunities for students. +4
And 8 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Resolutions of theirs that were adopted (8)
A resolution is a chamber speaking for itself — a position, a rule or a tribute. Adopting it puts it into effect, but it is not a law.
- A resolution designating the week of September 21, 2026, as the "Ray Gaesser Memorial Farm Safety Week" to recognize the life and legacy of Ray Gaesser, who passed away in a tragic farming accident, and promote farm safety in the honor of Ray Gaesser.
- A 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.
- A resolution designating March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day".
- A resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and United States Army Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action in Palmyra, Syria, in a targeted assault against United States service members on December 13, 2025.
- A resolution recognizing the week of November 3 through November 7, 2025, as "National Veterans Small Business Week".
- A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month".
- A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of May 4, 2025, through May 10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week" to celebrate the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in every community in the United States.
- A resolution designating March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day".
Still waiting, of the 100 bills they wrote: 6 cleared committee and wait for a first vote, 80 are in committee. Committee is where most bills end, whoever writes them — silence there, not a vote, is the usual way a bill dies.
What their bills would do
Every bill is scored against plain yes-or-no questions. These count their bills — the ones they wrote and the ones they cosponsored — by how each question was answered: yes, or the opposite. Open one to see those bills, where each stands, and why it was scored that way. Scores are made by AI ().
Who their bills would affect
What else they would change
How they voted lately
Their latest votes that decided something, and what each measure would do.
This bill sets national rules for student athlete name, image, and likeness rights. It creates protections for academic progress, medical coverage, and health and safety standards.
The vote on whether to pass the bill — Bill Passed
- Yes: Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?Significantly expands earning potential through NIL rights and provides medical and academic protections for college athletes. +9
- No: Does this leave more decisions to the states?Prevents states from enforcing their own NIL compensation and transfer laws that conflict with the federal framework. -5
119-S-4668 · roll call 250
What the Amendment Does As folks looking out for the good of the people and holding our officials accountable, we need to know what our leaders are trying to change. This amendment, submitted by Mr. Booker and Mr.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6835 · roll call 249
- NayTo increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.Sep 29, 2026
What the Amendment Does Mr. Booker, along with Mr. Blumenthal, submitted this amendment to change how a specific fund or program is paid for in the bill.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6805 · roll call 248
On the President’s nominees
The President chooses federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and military officers, and the Senate decides whether each one gets the job. Most are confirmed by voice vote, which records no one’s position; in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) the Senate put 223 confirmations to a recorded vote, and confirmed every one.
They voted to confirm 218 and against none, and did not vote on 5. Those votes covered 588 nominees, because the Senate sometimes confirms many in a single vote.
How busy they have been
How many bills they have put their name to over time — volume, not results: most bills never get a vote.