DI has documented statements by Joni Ernst on 2026 Midterm Elections, Iran War, and Military and Defense, among other topics. Read the quotations, original sources and related cases below.
Role at the time: US senator and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
Mixed or conditional
Statement summary
Joni Ernst withheld judgment on whether a 20% reduction was warranted and asked for a plan explaining which positions should change and why.
“I do have concerns”
Open the original interview (opens in a new tab)GOP senators, blindsided by Hegseth, demand notice, transparency · The HillDirectly attributed interviews with Roger Wicker, Susan Collins, Joni Ernst and Thom Tillis. The Collins passage specifies Wednesday, September 30; other interview dates are unspecified.
Why we used this label
Leaves the scale of reductions unresolved pending a plan and justification, while criticizing the consultation process.
Joni Ernst voted nay on H.Con.Res. 89, a vote against directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89: A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Voted against directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran, a vote to let U.S. involvement continue without congressional authorization.
Joni Ernst voted NAY on H.Con.Res. 86. Voted against directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran, sustaining the President's ability to continue the war.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
In an interview during the April ceasefire, Ernst said she supports President Trump and his efforts in Iran, called the ceasefire 'extremely important' and said 'we should never turn away from an opportunity to find peace,' while relaying regional leaders' advice to 'keep going' until Iran's proxy funding, missiles, and nuclear ambitions are dismantled.
“The leaders in that region, now that the war is underway, what they have told me directly is, keep going, do not stop until they have no further way of funding terrorist proxies, the ballistic missiles and nuclear ambitions.”
Supports the war effort and its continuation to dismantle Iran's capabilities while welcoming the ceasefire; the stance is supportive of the operation with openness to peace, not opposition.
Hegseth confirmed a 20% reduction in general and admiral positions, with a January 1, 2027 deadline. He defended the changes as accountability; senators questioned their military justification and scope.
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 midterm candidates stand on the unauthorized Iran war, based on their votes on war-powers resolutions, campaign statements, and public remarks.
