Track Joni's sponsored bills, co-sponsored legislation, and voting record
This act mandates federal agencies to annually report on major projects significantly delayed or over budget, with the OMB publishing a public summary for Congress.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 mandates that federal agencies report annually on major projects significantly delayed or over budget. This information will be compiled by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) into a public report submitted to Congress each year. The goal is to increase transparency regarding costly and protracted government endeavors.
The McSCUSE ME Act of 2025 amends the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program to restrict participation to grocery-style stores offering prepared foods, limit purchases to qualifying meals containing produce and protein, and exclude spouses from eligibility.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The McSCUSE ME Act of 2025 amends the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program to restrict participation to retail food stores that are not primarily fast-food establishments and offer specific healthy meal components. This legislation limits eligible purchases to prepared meals containing at least one fruit or vegetable and a protein, intended for immediate consumption. Furthermore, the bill excludes the spouses of eligible SNAP recipients from participating in this specific program.
The RECAPTURE Act redirects unspent BEAD program funds that result from eligible entities missing deadlines to a combination of the original entity and the Treasury's general fund for deficit reduction.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The RECAPTURE Act amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to change how unspent federal broadband (BEAD) grant funds are handled when states or entities miss deadlines. Under this bill, any unallocated remaining grant funds that were not designated for a specific purpose will be deposited into the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction. The remaining funds designated for specific purposes may still be made available to the eligible entity.
This Act temporarily halts the Small Business Administration's ability to award sole source contracts under the 8(a) program until a mandated audit is completed and reported.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Stop 8(a) Contracting Fraud Act places a temporary moratorium on the Small Business Administration's ability to award sole source contracts under the 8(a) program. This pause will last until the SBA completes its mandated audit of the business development program and reports the findings to Congress. Waivers to this moratorium can only be granted in writing for critical national security interests, requiring high-level agency and SBA approval.
This act rescinds unobligated COVID-19 relief funding from several previous laws, directing the returned money to deficit reduction unless the President issues a specific waiver.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act rescinds unobligated balances from several previous COVID-19 relief laws upon enactment. These returned funds are directed to the Treasury's general fund exclusively for reducing the national deficit. The President retains the authority to waive this rescission for specific accounts with prior notification to Congress.
This Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to study the feasibility of manufacturing products essential to the nation's critical infrastructure domestically rather than importing them.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a comprehensive study on essential products for the nation's critical infrastructure that are currently imported due to domestic supply constraints. This study must analyze the costs, benefits, and feasibility of manufacturing these identified products within the United States. The Secretary will then submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations for boosting domestic production.
This resolution designates the week of November 3 through November 7, 2025, as National Veterans Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of veteran-owned businesses.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
This resolution officially designates the week of November 3 through November 7, 2025, as National Veterans Small Business Week. It recognizes the significant contributions of the over 1.65 million veteran-owned small businesses to the U.S. economy. The bill supports creating a business-friendly environment and expresses appreciation for veterans' continued service through entrepreneurship.
The DISPOSAL Act mandates the sale or long-term lease of six specified, underutilized Federal buildings in Washington, D.C., with proceeds going to deficit reduction after covering relocation costs, while prohibiting foreign ownership.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The DISPOSAL Act mandates the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell or ground lease six specific, underutilized Federal buildings in Washington, D.C., with proceeds primarily going to deficit reduction after covering relocation costs. This process is streamlined, exempting disposals from several standard environmental and procedural reviews, while strictly prohibiting sales or leases to foreign entities. The GSA Administrator has sole authority over agency relocations, and this authority to dispose of properties terminates at the end of 2028.
This Act establishes an annual National STEM Week dedicated to promoting science, technology, engineering, and math education through nationwide activities, partnerships, and reporting.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The National STEM Week Act establishes an annual, nationally recognized week dedicated to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education across the country. This initiative aims to emphasize the importance of STEM learning, encourage student and family engagement, and foster partnerships between schools and industry leaders. The National Science and Technology Council will coordinate the week and report annually to Congress on participation and effectiveness.
This act requires federal agencies to report detailed data on furloughed and non-furloughed employees following a government shutdown, with reports made publicly available by congressional committees and the OPM.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act mandates that federal agencies must report detailed data regarding staffing levels and salary expenditures before and during any lapse in appropriations, or government shutdown. These individual agency reports must be submitted to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and relevant congressional committees within 30 days of the shutdown's end. Furthermore, congressional committees are required to publicly post these reports online, and OPM must issue a consolidated report summarizing the impact across all affected agencies.
This resolution condemns the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack, affirms Israel's right to self-defense, and supports an outcome ensuring Israel's survival, the elimination of Hamas, and the release of all hostages.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
This resolution formally condemns the brutal Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel of October 7, 2023, and supports Israel's right to self-defense. It further condemns antisemitic and destructive protests within the United States. Ultimately, the resolution calls for an outcome that ensures Israel's survival, eliminates Hamas's ability to operate, and secures the release of all remaining hostages.
This act prohibits federal employees from simultaneously holding multiple civil service jobs or contracting with the government, establishing penalties and mandatory annual audits to enforce compliance.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Dismantling Double Dippers Act of 2025 prohibits federal employees from simultaneously holding two civil service jobs or receiving payment from a government contract while employed by the government, unless explicitly authorized. Violators face mandatory repayment of illegal earnings, potential criminal investigation by the Department of Justice, and agency disciplinary action. The OPM Inspector General is required to conduct annual audits across federal agencies to detect and report on these violations.
The DECLINE Act mandates federal agencies to immediately deactivate and reclaim government charge cards from separating employees and requires annual GAO oversight of compliance.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The DECLINE Act mandates that federal agencies must immediately deactivate and collect all government charge cards from separating employees, including removing them from digital wallets. Agencies must establish clear policies to ensure these cards are returned and accounts are closed upon separation. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will annually audit agency compliance with these new deactivation procedures.
The STUDENT Act mandates that student loan lenders must disclose the total interest a borrower will pay under the standard repayment plan in their loan disclosures.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The STUDENT Act mandates that student loan lenders must now clearly disclose the total amount of interest a borrower will pay over the life of the loan. This calculation must be based on the standard repayment plan for the borrower's total outstanding principal balance. The goal is to provide borrowers with greater transparency regarding the full cost of their student loans.
This bill, the DOCTORS Act, establishes a process for redistributing unused J-1 visa residency requirement waivers from states that did not utilize their full allotment to other eligible states.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The DOCTORS Act, or the Directing Our Country’s Transfer of Residency Slots Act, establishes a new system for reallocating unused J-1 visa residency requirement waivers among states. Starting in 2026, states must report unused waivers annually, which the Secretary of State will then redistribute to eligible states for the following year. A portion of these reallocated waivers must be used to staff facilities serving medically underserved areas.
This bill mandates the EPA to quickly finalize rules ensuring underground storage tanks are compatible with E15 fuel while requiring future components to be ready for 100% ethanol.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Ethanol for America Act of 2025 mandates that the EPA swiftly finalize rules regarding E15 fuel labeling and underground storage tank compatibility within 90 days of enactment. This legislation ensures existing underground storage tanks are automatically deemed compatible with E15 fuel, simplifying compliance for station owners. Furthermore, it requires that all new or replacement components installed after the rule takes effect must be compatible with future 100% ethanol blends.
This bill repeals the Community Connect Grant Program and redirects its unspent funds to support the USDA's ReConnect Program for rural broadband deployment.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Streamlining Rural Broadband Act of 2025 repeals the existing Community Connect Grant program and redirects any unspent funds to the USDA's ReConnect Program. This action aims to consolidate federal resources to accelerate the deployment of rural broadband infrastructure. The bill makes necessary technical amendments to other laws to reflect the program's elimination.
This bill increases transparency by mandating comprehensive reporting of "other transaction agreements" on USAspending.gov and requiring annual reports on any unposted federal spending data.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency in federal spending by expanding reporting requirements for "other transaction agreements" on USAspending.gov. The bill mandates the automatic submission of this agreement data and requires annual public reports detailing any federal spending data that remains unreported. Furthermore, it strengthens accountability by requiring agency Inspector Generals to submit public reports and establishing standards for the completeness and accuracy of all posted federal funding information.
This bill narrows the definition of "navigable waters" under federal law by explicitly excluding wastewater treatment systems, ephemeral streams, and groundwater.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The CLEAR Waters Act narrows the definition of "navigable waters" under federal law. This legislation explicitly excludes features like wastewater treatment systems, ephemeral streams, and groundwater from federal water protection regulations. The goal is to clarify which bodies of water fall under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
This bill significantly increases Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act loan limits specifically for domestic "small manufacturers."
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025 establishes a new category for "small manufacturers" defined as domestic-only production businesses in specific sectors. This legislation significantly increases the maximum loan limits available to these qualifying small manufacturers under both the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act. The bill aims to provide substantially greater access to capital for U.S.-based manufacturing businesses.