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

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

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa introduced legislation to prohibit federal funding for Planned Parenthood after the organization received COVID-19 relief funds.

Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, ending weeks of speculation about whether she would stand in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump.

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

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

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

The Iowa Republican’s decision dramatically increases the likelihood that Mr. Hegseth will have enough votes to be confirmed as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s defense secretary.

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.

Trump's got the bullhorn now to say, ‘MAGA nation is watching,’” said outgoing Dallas County Republican Party Chair Kelley Koch.

Some MAGA-minded Republicans have suggested Kari Lake, an Iowa native, should challenge U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in a primary in 2026.

Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, ending weeks of speculation about whether she would stand in ...