United States Senator from Iowa
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Word spills out that Chuck Schumer is keeping the government closed until a specific date - October 18 - we tell you why. Trump drops the hammer that democrat programs are getting axed and Senator Joni Ernst hands him a list of $2 TRILLION in programs that can be cut. Dominion Voting Systems gets sold to a republican who makes the deal contingent on the company dropping all its lawsuits against conservatives. Good News takes us to Bowling Green, Ohio where a college mascot has done wonderful things to its study body.
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate and author of Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country that Raised Me, joined The Guy Benson Show today to reflect on the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel, when Hamas terrorists slaughtered hundreds of innocent festivalgoers and took countless others hostage. Ernst underscored the importance of standing firmly with Israel and ensuring such evil is never forgotten. Sen. Ernst also weighed in on the ongoing government shutdown, blasting Democrats for refusing to vote on a simple, clean continuing resolution. Guy and Sen. Ernst also reacted to the shocking story of an illegal immigrant being hired as the superintendent of the Des Moines School District. Finally, Sen. Ernst discussed her reasoning for not seeking re-election to the Senate and her confidence in Rep. Ashley Hinson as a strong potential successor for Iowa's seat. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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In this follow-up to his interview with Senator Joni Ernst, Evan dives into the legislative weeds of government efficiency reform with FAI scholars Dan Lips and Lars Schönander. While DOGE grabbed headlines with federal worker layoffs and chainsaw imagery, the real lasting impact may come from less flashy but more fundamental fixes: stopping the Treasury Department from sending checks to dead people, preventing Chinese-linked companies from exploiting small business research programs, and codifying anti-fraud measures that could save tens of billions annually.The conversation reveals how Ernst's decade-long crusade against government waste has created a legislative roadmap for the Trump administration's efficiency agenda. From strengthening the Treasury's "Do Not Pay" database to reforming the compromised Small Business Innovation Research program, these aren't partisan talking points but bipartisan solutions with Obama-era origins that have been stalled by bureaucratic inertia and special interests. With Ernst's retirement creating a 15-month window and SBIR authorization expiring next week, the episode captures a pivotal moment when policy wonk proposals might finally become permanent law—or get lost in the political shuffle once again.
Headlines on today's episode include:-Farmers will receive assistance from tariff revenue, President Trump says-U.S. soybean farmers slam federal aid to Argentina as markets shift to foreign competitors-Ernst discusses trade, biofuels expansion with President Trump-Much of U.S. entering fall in moderate to severe drought-Ethanol dip nothing to be alarmed bySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
For over a decade, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has been a persistent voice against government waste, issuing "squeal awards" that exposed bureaucratic excess when few were paying attention. What began as a somewhat thankless crusade has now become the intellectual foundation for one of the Trump administration's signature initiatives. As Chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, Ernst finds herself in the position of watching her longstanding concerns become White House priorities—from fraudulent payments to foreign exploitation of small business research programs. She's working to implement solutions she's spent years developing, including a blueprint for $2 trillion in potential taxpayer savings.Ernst recently announced that she won't be seeking reelection, creating a 15-month timeline for her to put her stamp on the U.S. Congress. The convergence of her institutional knowledge and Trump's reform mandate, with her lame-duck freedom to take risks, positions her as a unique figure in determining whether and how DOGE leaves a lasting impact on the federal government. The question isn't just what she hopes to accomplish in her remaining tenure, but what the government efficiency movement may look like without its most dedicated practitioner. Senator Ernst joins Evan to discuss her legislative efforts to root out government waste and what she hopes to accomplish before she leaves the Senate.
Recently U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin along Chuck Grassley, and Joni Ernst from Iowa introduced a bipartisan legislation to help lower the cost of fertilizer by allowing more transparency for the farmers on market factors causing rising costs. This bill is being endorsed by many groups, including the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association. To give more insight on the need for this bill is WCGA member Shane Goplin who is a farmer with HV Acres LLC. He says the government needs to help “answer the why’s.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Greg Belfrage interviews Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. They talk about Charlie Kirk, the backlash from posting on social media, and some of the bills she sponsored. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hugh discusses the assassination of Charlie Kirk and talks with Amy Coney Barrett Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, about her new book, "Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution." Also on today's show: Senators Tom Cotton and Joni Ernst, Vic Matus, and Bethany Mandel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Doug Wagner's interview with Senator Joni Ernst during Monday's second hour.
I went to a Rob Sand town hall. Joni Ernst is dropping out for real. Ashley Hinson is going to replace her. And Rod Blum is maybe going to replace Ashley. So who will replace him? Wait, who was he again? Call us at (319) 849-8733! Go here for full episode notes: https://www.patreon.com/posts/138362107 https://rockhardcauc.us
The Trump Administration's agenda is encountering legal challenges on multiple fronts, including the president's tariffs, attempts to withhold federal funding from universities, and efforts to crack down on crime in certain cities. FOX News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream joins the Rundown to break down these legal battles and weigh in on controversies surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein probe, Florida's vaccine mandate ban, and the recent military strike on a suspected Tren de Aragua drug trafficking boat off of the coast of Venezuela. To regain control of the Senate, the Democrats need to flip four seats and defend the ones they currently hold in next year's midterm elections. Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson has announced her candidacy for the Senate seat currently held by the retiring Joni Ernst, a seat the Democrats believe may be in play. She joins the Rundown to discuss her campaign, how Iowans feel about the President's trade policies, and her plans to keep that seat red. Plus, commentary from the host of “Tomi Lahren is Fearless" on Outkick, Tomi Lahren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As summer turns to fall, ITR Live returns with fresh energy for the political season. Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson kick off the episode by recapping the post–Labor Day shift when campaigns and legislative conversations get serious again. With schools back in session and vacations over, the political calendar is heating up, and ITR Live is here to break it all down.The discussion opens with the latest update in the 2026 governor's race as Adam Steen joins the field. Chris and John examine how his late entry could affect the dynamics, what messages Republican candidates are testing, and how Rob Sand is using his uncontested path on the Democratic side to shape a negative narrative about Iowa's policies. The hosts push back, reminding listeners that Iowa's fiscal track record is strong, taxpayer-focused, and worth defending.Next, the episode covers the big news in Iowa's U.S. Senate race. Senator Joni Ernst has announced she will not seek reelection, setting the stage for Ashley Hinson to emerge as the frontrunner. Chris and John explain why Hinson's ground game and deep connections across Iowa make her a formidable candidate, while also highlighting the open congressional seat this creates in northeast Iowa.Finally, the hosts turn to Iowa's revenue picture. With the flat tax now in place, income tax collections are down — by design. Chris and John emphasize that lower collections are not a crisis but a sign that taxpayers are keeping more of their money. The real challenge is on the spending side. They argue that lawmakers must resist new spending commitments, look critically at exemptions and giveaways, and stay focused on fiscal discipline.
On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Congress' return to Washington as government shutdown worries mount; the National Defense Authorization Act moves from the Senate to the House; Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst decision to retire; Texas, California and Missouri redistricting moves; how lawmakers and industry view the prospect the Trump administration will acquire stakes in defense contractors; the administration's deployment of naval forces to the Caribbean that launched the first of what officials says will be more strikes on drug runners; China hosts leaders from two dozen nations seeking to thwart US power worldwide and the significance of Xi Jinping holding hands with Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi; French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Ukraine's European allies in Paris to discuss peacekeepers in the country as Russia continues to reject the prospect of troops on Ukrainian soil; and Israel continues its Gaza occupation despite opposition from the country's top security officials.
The Trump Administration's agenda is encountering legal challenges on multiple fronts, including the president's tariffs, attempts to withhold federal funding from universities, and efforts to crack down on crime in certain cities. FOX News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream joins the Rundown to break down these legal battles and weigh in on controversies surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein probe, Florida's vaccine mandate ban, and the recent military strike on a suspected Tren de Aragua drug trafficking boat off of the coast of Venezuela. To regain control of the Senate, the Democrats need to flip four seats and defend the ones they currently hold in next year's midterm elections. Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson has announced her candidacy for the Senate seat currently held by the retiring Joni Ernst, a seat the Democrats believe may be in play. She joins the Rundown to discuss her campaign, how Iowans feel about the President's trade policies, and her plans to keep that seat red. Plus, commentary from the host of “Tomi Lahren is Fearless" on Outkick, Tomi Lahren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week on the podcast, how does Joni Ernst's decision to not seek reelection impact Iowa's 2026 elections?On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com
The Trump Administration's agenda is encountering legal challenges on multiple fronts, including the president's tariffs, attempts to withhold federal funding from universities, and efforts to crack down on crime in certain cities. FOX News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream joins the Rundown to break down these legal battles and weigh in on controversies surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein probe, Florida's vaccine mandate ban, and the recent military strike on a suspected Tren de Aragua drug trafficking boat off of the coast of Venezuela. To regain control of the Senate, the Democrats need to flip four seats and defend the ones they currently hold in next year's midterm elections. Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson has announced her candidacy for the Senate seat currently held by the retiring Joni Ernst, a seat the Democrats believe may be in play. She joins the Rundown to discuss her campaign, how Iowans feel about the President's trade policies, and her plans to keep that seat red. Plus, commentary from the host of “Tomi Lahren is Fearless" on Outkick, Tomi Lahren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aaron McIntire covers President Trump's announcement of U.S. military action against a cartel drug boat, the relocation of Space Force HQ to Huntsville, Alabama, and plans for a Chicago crime crackdown. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reverses course, ordering police to cooperate with federal law enforcement, while Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson tiptoes toward defiance. In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers defends illegal immigrant labor, and in the U.K., a comedy writer's arrest over social media posts signals rising totalitarianism. Plus, Lee Strobel on Tucker Carlson discusses Hollywood's demonic influence. AM Update, Trump cartel action, Space Force HQ, Chicago crime, D.C. mayor, U.K. censorship, Lee Strobel, Hollywood demonic influence, immigration judges, Joni Ernst, Rashida Tlaib
Abby Livingston joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to preview a frenetic month ahead in Washington, as Congress barrels toward a government funding deadline less than 30 days away. They also weigh how Iowa Republican senator Joni Ernst's retirement could scramble the G.O.P.'s future, and lay out the emerging midterm roadmap for both parties. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
00000199-0fe9-d446-adbf-9febf0e10000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/good-morning-from-wvik-news/2025-09-03/iowa-sen-joni-ernst-confirms-she-wont-seek-a-third-termJoseph LeahyIowa Sen. Joni Ernst confirms she won't seek a third term
Headlines on today's episode include:-Ag trade deficit hits record high-Ernst says Prop 12 fix needed in skinny farm bill-U.S. and China trade: actions louder than words-Tax wins included in OBBBA could benefit farmer-owned businesses-Corn crop still faces some challenges-Kansas farmer concerned about early onset of fall armyworms-Economy and uncertainty slowing climate-smart adoption practicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports on a second Republican senator who will not run again.
Monday, September 1st, 2025Today, the Trump administration attempted to remove 600 terrified unaccompanied minors to Guatemala in the middle of the night until a federal judge entered an order to stop them; speculation about Trump's whereabouts explodes on social media as he continues to hide from the public; the government is going to deploy AI software to deny Medicare claims; Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law redistricting maps that reduce Black voters in Texas to one-fifth of a person and Hispanic voters to one-third of a person; a federal appeals court has struck down Trump's tariffs as unlawful; Joni Ernst - who infamously claimed we're all going to die anyways about Medicaid cuts - says she won't run for Senate again in 2026; Riley Gaines' dad is entering the race in Tennessee's 6th congressional district; the Epstein estate has agreed to hand over the birthday book and other documents to Congress; the mayor of Chicago has signed an order to resist Trump's planned occupation of the city; Trump says he will sign an executive order mandating voter ID; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, DeleteMeGet 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/DAILYBEANS and use promo code DAILYBEANS at checkout. Guest: Randi WeingartenWhy Fascists Fear Teachers by Randi Weingarten | PenguinRandomHouseAFTt.orgUnion Talk Podcast | American Federation of TeachersRandi Weingarten - The New York Times@rweingarten.bsky.social - Bluesky, @rweingarten - twitterYou Can Vote For Dana ! 2025 Out100: Cast your vote for Readers' Choice!StoriesTrump Says He Will Sign Executive Order Mandating Voter I.D. | The New York TimesJoni Ernst won't seek reelection to Senate in 2026, sources say | CBS NewsThe Sooknanan Monologue - by Allison Gill | The BreakdownMedicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures | The New York TimesEpstein's estate set to provide 'birthday book' to Congress with subpoenaed docs, House Democrat says | NBC NewsJohnson signs order aimed at resisting planned immigration crackdown, possible Nat. Guard deployment | ABC 7 Eyewitness NewsGood Trouble California needs your help | Proposition 50 Vote YES !!As partisan gerrymandering in states like Texas threatens to undermine democracy, California is stepping up with Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act. It is vital that voters are informed and turned out to vote by November 4. Yes On Prop 50 | Special Election Phone Banks - mobilize.us**Trump's VA Rule Would Ban Abortion Care for Veterans—Your Voice Can Stop It | On Offense with Kris Goldsmith – Write a Public Comment - Reproductive Health Services - Deadline September 3**IRS asks for public input on free tax filing options to inform congressional report | Internal Revenue Service - Deadline September 5**Help ensure safety of public servants. Hold RFK Jr accountable by signing the letter: savehhs.org, @firedbutfighting.bsky.social on Bluesky**SIGN THE STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT for the FEMA Katrina Declaration.From The Good NewsRogue Food UnitesMobility Fit Physical TherapyYurok TribeThe Newbury School of Weaving Reminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Our Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - DonateMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueWhistleblowerAid.org/beansFederal workers - feel free to email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Find Upcoming Actions 50501 Movement, No Kings.org, Indivisible.orgDr. Allison Gill - Substack, BlueSky , TikTok, IG, TwitterDana Goldberg - BlueSky, Twitter, IG, facebook, danagoldberg.comCheck out more from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | SubstackShare your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good TroubleHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?The Daily Beans | SupercastThe Daily Beans & Mueller, She Wrote | PatreonThe Daily Beans | Apple Podcasts
On this week's episode, we discuss: a local connection to Palestine, those damn Flock cameras, ICE shutting down a Cedar Rapids street, and Joni Ernst. Call us at (319) 849-8733! Go here for full episode notes: https://www.patreon.com/posts/137796154 https://rockhardcauc.us
Share your thoughts and comments by sending me a text messageS.12 E.20 The Republicans in Iowa have just suffered a big loss in a special election. Furthermore, there are reports of the possibility of a major retirement that might put the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Iowa in focus. Recent events point towards to the need for better political strategy by the GOP in this great Midwestern state. In this episode, I discuss these pressing issues. ABOUT: Tawsif Anam is a nationally published writer, award-winning public policy professional, and speaker. He has experience serving in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in United States and overseas. Anam earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tawsif Anam's opinions have been published by national, state, and local publications in the United States, such as USA Today, Washington Examiner, The Washington Times, The Western Journal, The Boston Globe, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital Times, and The Dodgeville Chronicle. His writings have also appeared in major publications in Bangladesh including, but not limited to, The Daily Star and The Financial Express. Visit my website www.tawsifanam.net Visit my blog: https://tawsifanam.net/blog/ Read my published opinions: https://tawsifanam.net/published-articles/ Check out my books: https://tawsifanam.net/books/
Tonight on The Last Word: A federal appeals court deals a huge blow to Donald Trump on tariffs. Also, Trump is blasted for his “illegal” tactic to cut foreign aid. Plus, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff refuses to blame Russia as the aggressor against Ukraine. And Iowa GOP Sen. Joni Ernst won't seek reelection in 2026. Laurence Tribe, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Norm Ornstein, David Rothkopf, Iowa State Rep. Josh Turek, and Ben Wikler join Ali Velshi.
David does The News.
August 30, 2025; 9am: The big shakeup could lead to a potentially competitive Senate race in Iowa. Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls is one of the Democratic candidates running to replace Ernst. He joins The Weekend to discuss what this could mean for the 2026 midterm elections.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnbcTikTok: @theweekendmsnbcTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.
On this episode of Rich Valdes America at Night: Screenwriter Rob King shares the inside story of his new film The Unrestricted War, the real-life inspiration behind it, and the pushback he's facing from the Chinese government as the movie nears release. Then, John Hart, CEO of Open the Books, unpacks Assemblyman Zoran Mamdani's so-called “Affordable Agenda” and the potential consequences for New York City, plus Senator Joni Ernst's push for audits into potentially fraudulent unemployment benefits. Finally, Rich takes your calls in Open Phones Across America to hear what's on your mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump is like a dysfunctional 8-year-old whose parents are always in the principal's office arguing that their son is a good boy. The media, CEOs, and Wall Street keep giving him a pass for his behavior while his supporters and apologists explain why he just had to set the school on fire. At the same time, he's empowering ideologues behind the scenes who are dismantling the government and executing their policy wet dreams. Plus, Joni Ernst's Senate tenure has been a sham, Vance tries Mickey Mouse Stalinism on for size, and what's going on with the bruising on Trump's right hand? The public has the right to know about the health of a president. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Tom's newsletter installment, "President Homelander" JVL's Thursday 'Triad' The film, "The Death of Stalin" Felicia Schwartz's piece on Steve Witkoff Tim's playlist Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
In our news wrap Friday, President Trump is trying to block nearly $5 billion in foreign aid funding already approved by Congress, an emergency hearing on Trump's firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook concluded with no immediate ruling, GOP Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst reportedly won't seek reelection and Trump revoked the Secret Service detail for former Vice President Harris. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
In our news wrap Friday, President Trump is trying to block nearly $5 billion in foreign aid funding already approved by Congress, an emergency hearing on Trump's firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook concluded with no immediate ruling, GOP Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst reportedly won't seek reelection and Trump revoked the Secret Service detail for former Vice President Harris. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
THE TIM JONES AND CHRIS ARPS SHOW 0:00 SEG 1 Kamala has lost her Secret Service duty 17:25 SEG 2 Dr. Bob Onder, Congressman for Missouri’s 3rd District | TOPIC: Congressional headlines of the day | The Minneapolis shooter had dark thoughts about being trans. Should the trans industrial complex shoulder some of the blame? | Kehoe has called a special sessiononder.house.govx.com/BobOnderMO 34:19 SEG 3 Chris’ Corner is about Joni Ernst not seeking re-election | 20 years since Hurrican Katrina https://newstalkstl.com/ FOLLOW TIM - https://twitter.com/SpeakerTimJones FOLLOW CHRIS - https://twitter.com/chris_arps 24/7 LIVESTREAM - http://bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMS RUMBLE - https://rumble.com/NewsTalkSTL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
THE TIM JONES AND CHRIS ARPS SHOW 0:00 SEG 1 Kamala has lost her Secret Service duty 17:25 SEG 2 Dr. Bob Onder, Congressman for Missouri’s 3rd District | TOPIC: Congressional headlines of the day | The Minneapolis shooter had dark thoughts about being trans. Should the trans industrial complex shoulder some of the blame? | Kehoe has called a special sessiononder.house.govx.com/BobOnderMO 34:19 SEG 3 Chris’ Corner is about Joni Ernst not seeking re-election | 20 years since Hurrican Katrina https://newstalkstl.com/ FOLLOW TIM - https://twitter.com/SpeakerTimJones FOLLOW CHRIS - https://twitter.com/chris_arps 24/7 LIVESTREAM - http://bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMS RUMBLE - https://rumble.com/NewsTalkSTL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At about 12 years of age, I began working for my father, loading bundles into the two delivery trucks used in his small business. This required that, first, I back the trucks down an alley and into the loading bay. Thus, I learned to drive going backward, which probably says something fundamental about me.But even at 12, I didn't get stuck in reverse, as today's Republican Congress has. The GOP's autocratic ideologues and corporate toadies are spurning hard-won, economic, social, environmental, and other progress made by generations of grassroots Americans. They are trying to drive our people back to Robber Baron rule and Jim Crow law.Indeed, no progressive advance today escapes the wrath of the GOP's ideological swat squad. Consider the operatic political frenzy they're now stirring up over Post Office trucks. Yes, that ubiquitous fleet of red, white, and blue mail delivery vehicles you see on every street and rural road in America.Those gas-powered workhorses, now 35 years old, are way overdue for replacement. Sensibly, the Postal Service is buying fuel-efficient, non-polluting, electric vehicles, which include such basics as airbags and air conditioning.But no, squealed extreme right-wingers like Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa. She condemns the very idea of a battery-powered fleet as lefty “wokeness.” So she's demanding that Congress literally defund the purchase of EVs, forcing the Postal Service to go backward to inefficient, polluting trucks fueled by Big Oil – an industry that just happens to be a generous funder of her career.To get a clear-eyed view of which are the best vehicles to take us way forward, don't ask a corporate-owned ideologue; ask the postal workers who drive them. Go to apwu.com.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe
Joni Ernst says she has a good relationship with President Trump. A refugee resettlement nonprofit in Iowa says private donations have helped them continue their work. And a large portion of a bicycle trail in central Iowa has been paved.
The Antiplanner critiques Senator Joni Ernst's “Off the Rails” report, pointing to costly, delayed rail and transit megaprojects like California high-speed rail, Honolulu's rail line, and Maryland's Purple Line as taxpayer-funded boondoggles that do little to reduce driving. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-off-the-rails-2/ #Opinion #Transportation #RailProjects #TransitBoondoggles #CostOverruns #JoniErnst #CaliforniaHighSpeedRail #HonoluluRail #MarylandPurpleLine #Megaprojects
There are now five Democrats running for U.S. Senator Joni Ernst's (R) seat. The head of the EPA won't say why five Iowa rivers were removed from the impaired waters list. And Gov. Kim Reynolds has directed twenty Iowa National Guard troops to support immigration enforcement efforts.
In today's show Riley breaks down the August WASDE report with Greg McBride of Allendale, Dustin speaks with Senator Joni Ernst, and Andy is joined by Iowa teacher of the year Melanie Bloom.
In today's show Dustin is joined by Senator Joni Ernst at the Iowa State Fair, Riley speaks with the judges of the Bacon Buddies show, and Andy talks with Eric Scherder of Corteva for the Agriculture Clean Water Alliance.
Simon Conway is joined by Major General Richard Osborn, Senator Joni Ernst, Todd Jacobus, and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler during Monday's first hour.
A lot of hope is riding on the 2026 midterm elections, not that any of us are naive about efforts the Trump administration will make (in fact, already is making!) to ensure Republicans keep control of both houses of Congress. A compliant Congress, after all, has been a primary vehicle for the passage of the Project 2025 agenda. I'll gladly interview Congressional candidates who offer hope for real change in Washington. Today's conversation is with J.D. Scholten of Iowa. J.D., now an Iowa State legislator, decided to jump into the race when he saw Senator Joni Ernst's response to a constituent who complained that the Medicare cuts will cause people to die. She said, “Well, we all are going to die.” She then doubled down with a sarcastic apology that was pretty shocking even by today's low standards. Wow.I hope you enjoy my talk with J.D. Washington will be a much better place if Scholten win this race, and I can give a personal endorsement that he's a really, really, really good guy. Here's J.D's website. If you enjoy the interview, I hope you'll throw in some support. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe
A lot of hope is riding on the 2026 midterm elections, not that any of us are naive about efforts the Trump administration will make (in fact, already is making!) to ensure Republicans keep control of both houses of Congress. A compliant Congress, after all, has been a primary vehicle for the passage of the Project 2025 agenda. I'll gladly interview Congressional candidates who offer hope for real change in Washington. Today's conversation is with J.D. Scholten of Iowa. J.D., now an Iowa State legislator, decided to jump into the race when he saw Senator Joni Ernst's response to a constituent who complained that the Medicare cuts will cause people to die. She said, “Well, we all are going to die.” She then doubled down with a sarcastic apology that was pretty shocking even by today's low standards. Wow. I hope you enjoy my talk with J.D. Washington will be a much better place if Scholten win this race, and I can give a personal endorsement that he's a really, really, really good guy. Here's J.D's website. If you enjoy the interview, I hope you'll throw in some support.
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate and author of DAUGHTER OF THE HEARTLAND: My Ode to the Country that Raised Me, joined The Guy Benson Show today to discuss her vote for the Big Beautiful Law and why the law is crucial to keeping taxes lower for Iowans and Americans across the country. Sen. Ernst also broke down where the U.S. is trimming spending through its recession-related legislation, noting that even small cuts matter. Benson and Ernst also discussed on her work shaping the NDAA, with key efforts to strengthen military recruitment and rein in secretive spending. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We are hearing endless excuses as to why the signature budget bill is not achieving its stated goals. The most prevalent excuse is that lawmakers don't have the votes for conservative legislation. Well, if that is true, it's because of people like Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who pushed for Green New Deal subsidies in the bill. So why is there no unified effort to remove people like her who will stand for re-election next year? We're joined by our first primary challenger of the year, former Iowa state Senator Jim Carlin, who is running for U.S. Senate. He has been part of the grassroots effort to fight the Green New Deal land-grabs in Iowa and to elect better members to the legislature. He shows how Joni Ernst is the very embodiment of what everyone hates about corporatist Republicans and duplicitous campaign promises dying on the altar of special-interest politics. We cover his vision for Iowa landowners, medical freedom, and fixing the military-industrial complex. We will find out who truly believes in defeating RINOs and who is just in this business to make money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The girls are fighting! Happy Pride. This week, Donald Trump and Elon Musk catfight over who's keeping the edgelords in the divorce. Joni Ernst death-drops into the Big Beautiful Bill drama, and Pete Hegseth does his level best to de-gay the Navy. Darby Lynn Cartwright and Alexis Bevels judge Lovett as he's never been judged before, while Adam Rippon, Joel Kim Booster and Brendan Scannell face off against Clea Duvall and Sabrina Wu in battle over The Culture. Then it's time to give the Pride Wheel a gay little spin, before we flounce off into the night.Upcoming shows: crooked.com/eventsFor a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
Jason Kander and Ravi Gupta break down the escalating feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump after Musk's blistering tweets attacking the GOP's pork-filled spending bill and threatening political retribution in 2024. They analyze Speaker Mike Johnson's video response, the fallout from reports of Musk's Oval Office drug use, and what it all means for the future of MAGA influence in Silicon Valley. Kander and Gupta also dive into the chaos surrounding Trump's shifting tariff policies, from Canada to China, as courts, allies, and even his own administration struggle to keep up. Plus, they discuss Ukraine's latest strike on Russian bombers and what it signals about the next phase of the war, along with Senator Joni Ernst's rough week back home in Iowa. This and more on the podcast that helps you, the majority of Americans who believe in progress, convince your conservative friends and family to join us—this is Majority 54! Support the Show: Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://SHOPIFY.com/majority Nutrafol: Get results you can run your fingers through! For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to https://Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MAJORITY. Majority 54 is a MeidasTouch Network production. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The health care of 10 million Americans is at risk as President Trump's massive tax cut legislation makes its way to the Senate. Will Majority Leader John Thune be able to cobble together a bill that the "Medicaid moderates," budget hawks, and hardliners can all agree on? Meanwhile, Stephen Miller freaks out at ICE leadership for failing to detain and deport enough immigrants, corporate America begins cutting ties with law firms that bent the knee to Trump, and Democratic presidential hopefuls begin testing the waters. Jon and Lovett embrace the schadenfreude, discuss the lies Speaker Mike Johnson is peddling to win over his Senate colleagues, and evaluate Senator Joni Ernst's "we're all going to die" message to her constituents. Then, Jon talks to Senator Brian Schatz about putting an end to Democratic navel gazing and fighting to stop Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."
Can you believe it's already June? So much has happened since President Donald Trump returned to the White House four and a half months ago, it's hard to process. In that short amount of time, Trump has unilaterally thrown the global trading system into chaos and tried to end the constitutional right of birthright citizenship. His administration has stripped billions in federal grants from universities, arrested international students, and put tens of thousands of federal workers out of jobs. The constant din of chaos is exhausting, and it's easy to grow numb to it, to normalize it. New York Times opinion columnist M. Gessen explains the parallels they see with early 2000s Russia, when President Vladimir Putin consolidated power, and what we can — and can't — learn from that period.And in headlines: Ukraine said it destroyed dozens of Russian military bombers in a massive drone attack deep inside Russian territory, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump Administration to temporarily lift deportation protections for around half a million migrants, and Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst told constituents worried about proposed Medicaid cuts that ‘we all are going to die.' Show Notes:Check out M's column – https://tinyurl.com/mwjux5znSubscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
Elon Musk is back in the news, with a New York Times investigation detailing his rampant drug use right as he hightails it out of Washington. Lovett and Dan compare notes on their own White House drug tests, then dig into Trump's most recent comments on his Big Beautiful Bill, the legislation's fate in the Senate, and Sen. Joni Ernst's psychopathic consolation for people being kicked off Medicaid. Then Lovett sits down with author and history professor Erik Loomis to talk about whether the U.S. is still capable of mass mobilization—do liberals actually care about workers? How do we meet people where they're at? And are we all too individualistic to show true solidarity?