Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says negotiations on the next Farm Bill have "taken a turn" in the wrong direction. Ernst is the only Iowan on the committee of House and Senate members assigned to come up with a new five-year Farm Bill by the end of the month. "I don't think we're close and, … [Read more...]
Ernst says Kavanaugh’s accuser ‘should be heard’
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says "every accuser should be heard." She's withholding judgment on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh until after Monday's senate hearing to examine the sexual assault allegation against Kavanaugh. "I need to hear what's going to come out on Monday. I can't say whether … [Read more...]
Ernst the only Iowan on Farm Bill conference committee
Senator Joni Ernst is among the 56 members of the U.S. House and Senate who met this morning to open negotiations aimed at producing a final version of the 2018 Farm Bill. "With the livelihood of farmers and ranchers largely dependent on factors out of their control, completion of this Farm Bill … [Read more...]
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst and husband, Gail Ernst, divorcing
A spokesperson for Senator Joni Ernst announced tonight that the senator and her husband "are in the process of divorcing." Joni and Gail Ernst were married in 1992. A spokesperson for the senator said the couple remains "committed to their children and family and ask for respect for their privacy … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst says illegal immigration is just one of the issues in death of Mollie Tibbetts
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the quick turn to a discussion of illegal immigration in the death of Mollie Tibbetts is not politicizing the issue. The Republican from Red Oak says Tibbetts was missing for more than a month before a man who is in the country illegally was accused of killing her -- … [Read more...]
President Trump says Tibbetts’ death ‘should have never happened’
The political debate about America's immigration system has been re-ignited by the tragic death of the 20-year-old woman from Brooklyn who authorities say was murdered by a man living in the country illegally. President Trump mentioned the case last night during a rally in West Virginia. "You … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst seeks special congressional investigation of U.S. Olympic Committee
Senator Joni Ernst has been calling on congress to launch its own investigation of the U.S. Olympic Committee to see why a sports doctor was allowed to treat athletes for years after dozens of complaints. "Like many Americans, I was horrified to hear of the crimes commited by Larry Nassar, the … [Read more...]
U.S.D.A. announces short-term $12 billion aid package for farmers
The Trump Administration is announcing direct payments to farmers who've taken a financial hit due to international trade disputes. The U.S.D.A. also plans to buy dairy products, pork and other commodities like fruits and nuts for distribution to food banks. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst raps U.S. Trade reps take on tariffs’ economic impact
Republican Senator Joni Ernst says she's frustrated by comments a Trump Administration official made about the impact of trade disputes. Yesterday, U.S. Trade Representative Peter Navarro said the impact of tariffs was a "rounding error" in an economy that's the size of the United States and "much … [Read more...]
Grassley says confirmation process for Kavanaugh will be expeditious
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says he has a "favorable" impression of President Trump's nominee for the opening on the U.S. Supreme Court. "I've been following him on the D.C. Circuit Court and he's been pretty much a person that believes in the Constitution as basic law and something to … [Read more...]