Joni Ernst
Bio | Joni Ernst is the U.S. Senator for Iowa and is a former military officer. Ernst served in the Iowa Army National Guard and became lieutenant colonel; she studied psychology from Iowa State University and earned her Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University. |
Status and Position | Current US Senator of Iowa |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Republican, Iowa |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
| 2020 Senate Election Iowa 1 | Iowa 1 | Yes | Running | 47.0% |
Campaign Financing | Voted against the joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress, and others bills that would limit the president's power over the military and its spending. |
Voting Rights | Ernst has made no clear stance on the rights to vote. |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | Against | Has opposed Universal healthcare. Has vehemently opposed the Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid program. |
| Socialized Healthcare | Against | Has vehemently opposed the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. |
| Private Healthcare | Unknown | Has made no clear stance on this issue. |
| LGBT Rights | Nuance | Has mixed views on LGBT rights. Has claimed that religion define marriage, opposes Trump's ban on Transgenders from entering military and said that if federal law banning gay marriage were proposed she would back it. |
| Taxes | Against | Has backed the cutting of taxes. Has stated that she passed the largest tax cut in Iowa history and has backed tax reform like the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. |
| Flat Tax Rate | For | Has stated that she wanted to make taxes fairer and flater, but did not support Fairtax Has stated that she passed the largest tax cut in Iowa history and has backed tax reform like the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. |
| Abortion | Against | Ernst is and advocate for pro-life Co-sponsor for Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act |
| Gun Control | Against | Ernst supports the second amendment She backs the proposal of universal concealed carry and the ability to transport firearms across state lines. |
| Assisted Suicide | Unknown | Has made no clear stance on this issue. She backs the proposal of universal concealed carry and the ability to transport firearms across state lines. |
| Government Interference | Unknown | Has made no clear stance on this issue. |
| Planned Parenthood | Against | Though openly opposes abortion, has stated the importance of contraceptives. Would try to defund planned parenthood and use the funding for womens health plans. |
| Welfare | Nuance | Ernst has not made a public statement regarding welfare Ernst has not made a public statement regarding welfare |
| Welfare | For | Ernst supports stem cell research, but supports the Patients First Act which claims that no destruction or creation can occur to the embryos. |
| Death Penalty | Nuance | Ernst has not publicly shared her beliefs regarding the death penalty Ernst has not publicly shared her beliefs regarding the death penalty |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Ernst has not publicly shared her beliefs about mandatory sentences, but has presented legislation regarding decreasing mandatory sentences and improving safety for inmates. |
| Military Spending | Nuance | Ernst has not publicly expressed her opinion on military spending |
| War on Terrorism | For | Ernst supports the War on Terrorism and has voted for strong strategies to counter threats and on plans to defeat the Al Qaeda. |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | For | Ernst believes in taking quicker action when it comes to foreign policy and being involved when it comes to the safety of the country. Ernst is supportive of military action, the War on Terrorism, and a variety of foreign policy affairs. |
| United Nations power | Unknown | Ernst has not publicly expressed her opinion on the United Nations |
| Nationalism | Unknown | Ernst has not expressed her view on nationalism |
| Free Markets | Nuance | Ernst is in support for both restriction and free trade depending on whether it is international or national. Ernst is supportive of having tariffs for international trades, like China, but is also supportive of free trade among businesses in the U.S. |
| Brexit | For | Ernst is supportive of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union and hopes to continue an alliance with them. |
| Affirmative Action | For | Ernst is in support for affirmative action especially for legislation that supports underprivileged families in regards to healthcare, women in prison, etc. |
| Government Spending | Nuance | Ernst is supportive of having a balance budget and greatly reducing unnecessary spending |
| Charter Schools | Nuance | Ernst supportive of having the state government being in control of school affairs, but overall is supportive of any school because children's education is crucial. |
| Common Core | Against | Ernst advocates to end the Common Core Ernst is supportive of the idea that the school education system should be governed by state and not the federal government. She has voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). |
| Clean Energy | For | Ernst is a strong supporter of clean energy and believes that kinds of energy used should be controlled in a state level Ernst introduced the Energy Efficient Improvement Act of 2015 and is supportive of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). She is also very supportive of using wind power. |
| Religious Freedom | For | Ernst advocates for religious freedom She is supportive of religious freedom and has mentioned how it is important to not force religious individuals to provide services that obstruct their religious liberties. |
| Separation of Church and State | Unknown | Ernst has not expressed her opinion on separation of church and state |
| Slavery Reparations | Nuance | Ernst acknowledges that reparations are important and that is it a difficult issue to handle, but has not openly provided support for legislative action |
| Border Control | For | Ernst is supportive of taking border control action to protect the nation Ernst is supportive of addressing issues regarding "sanctuary cities" and against executive amnesty. |
| Passenger Profiling | Unknown | Ernst has not made any statement regarding passenger profiling |
| DACA | Nuance | Ernst has expressed the importance of being compassionate toward immigrants, but also acknowledges that there are laws to follow in regards to immigration status and who should be eligible for citizenship. |
| Sanctuary Cities | Against | Ernst voted against sanctuary cities |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Against | Ernst has voted against medical and recreational marijuana use |