2021-2027 (Current term)

Sen. Joni Ernst

Iowa (Republican)

SBA Rating:

A+

Sen. Joni Ernst

Iowa (Republican)

Summary

118th Congress Sen. Ernst has stood up against the extremist nominees of the pro-abortion Biden-Harris administration and against pro-abortion action both in the administration and through legislation advanced by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Sen. Ernst has voted consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants. This includes stopping hard-earned tax dollars from paying for abortion, including abortion travel expenses, whether domestically or internationally, and pushing back on the administration’s extreme executive actions on abortion.

Sen. Ernst introduced S. 15, the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2023 that would require states to report certain abortion data to the Center for Disease Control as a prerequisite to receiving funds for family planning services under Medicaid. She introduced S. 13, the Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act, to prohibit Planned Parenthood and its affiliates from receiving federal funding. Sen. Ernst introduced S. 822, the Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023, to prohibit the Department of Defense from implementing its illegal and immoral abortion travel policy and offered several versions of her bill as amendments during markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She also offered a procedural motion to initiate the process of sending the NDAA back to conference committee in order to amend the NDAA to include House-passed language to stop the Department of Defense’s illegal abortion travel policy. She spoke on the Senate floor and in the Senate Armed Services Committee opposing the policy.

Sen. Ernst gave a speech on the Senate floor opposing a Democratic bill that would create a precedent to mandate access to dangerous abortion drugs and funnel taxpayer dollars Planned Parenthood.

117th Congress Senator Ernst has stood up against extremist nominees of the pro-abortion Biden-Harris administration, against pro-abortion action both in the administration and through legislation advanced by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Sen. Ernst has voted consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants. This includes stopping hard-earned tax dollars from paying for abortion, whether domestically or internationally, and protecting health care provider rights for those who refuse to engage in brutal abortions.

Senator Ernst led a public comment letter urging HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to withdraw the Biden administration's proposal to eliminate the Protect Life Rule that prohibited abortion providers from receiving grant money through the Title X family planning program. She sponsored the Informed Consent Act and introduced the Ensuring Accurate & Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act as well as an amendment to S. Con. Res. 5, the Budget Resolution, that excludes abortion businesses from expanded nonprofit eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program loans. Sen. Ernst requested unanimous consent to pass her Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act Bill to defund certain abortion providers. She also gave a speech defending life during a Senate press conference on the eve of oral arguments in the Dobbs Supreme Court case.

Scored Votes

Date Vote Score
02/04/2021
117th Congress

Sasse Amendment No. 192 to S. Con. Res. 5, Budget Reconciliation bill

Would establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to care for infant abortion survivors. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
02/05/2021
117th Congress

Cotton Amendment No. 66 to S. Con. Res. 5, Budget Reconciliation bill

Would prohibit increasing the number of justices on the United States Supreme Court. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
03/06/2021
117th Congress

Lankford Amendment #1031 to Schumer substitute #891 to H.R. 1319, known as the American Rescue Plan Act

Would add status quo Hyde protections to COVID relief funds. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
03/06/2021
117th Congress

Schumer substitute #891 to H.R. 1319, known as the American Rescue Plan Act

Would significantly expand funding for abortion, insurance that includes abortion, and the abortion industry, both domestic and international, under funds broadly defined as related to COVID-19 relief. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
03/11/2021
117th Congress

Becerra Vote to Report from Committee

This procedural vote to advance the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services was required after the Committee of jurisdiction failed to garner enough votes to report him out of Committee. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
03/17/2021
117th Congress

Vote to Advance Confirmation of Xavier Becerra

To end debate and allow the Senate to proceed to the confirmation of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
03/18/2021
117th Congress

Final Vote on Confirmation of Xavier Becerra

To end debate and allow the Senate to proceed to the confirmation of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
05/25/2021
117th Congress

Lee Amendment #1891 to the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021

Would add pro-life protections to ensure funding for ethical research. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
05/26/2021
117th Congress

Braun Amendment #1771 to the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021

Would criminalize the creation of human-animal hybrids (chimeras) in research. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
06/08/2021
117th Congress

H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act

Would add a new definition of “sex” that could force employers to cover elective abortion through employee benefits under the guise of fairness. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
06/22/2021
117th Congress

S.2093/S.1, the For the People Act

Would enact a federal takeover of election laws, overriding state laws and removing safeguards on election transparency SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
08/10/2021
117th Congress

Lankford Amendment #3792 to S. Con. Res. 14, the budget resolution

Would express the sense of the Senate that longstanding Hyde protections should govern federal funding. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
08/11/2021
117th Congress

Kennedy Amendment #3758 to S. Con. Res. 14, the budget resolution

By establishing a deficit-neutral reserve fund, this amendment expresses the position of the Senate that the unborn should be protected from painful late-term abortion. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
08/11/2021
117th Congress

Inhofe Amendment #3331 to S. Con. Res. 14, the budget resolution

By establishing a deficit-neutral reserve fund, this amendment expresses the position of the Senate that unborn children should be protected from abortion based on a Down Syndrome diagnosis. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
08/11/2021
117th Congress

Motion to Discharge S. 1 For the People Act

This procedural vote to advance S. 1 was required after the Committee of jurisdiction failed to garner enough votes to report the bill out of Committee. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
01/19/2022
117th Congress

House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746, Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act

Would combine partisan election bills to enact a federal takeover of election laws, overriding state laws and removing safeguards on election transparency. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
01/19/2022
117th Congress

Filibuster Carveout Vote

Would change longstanding Senate rules to allow legislation relating to election law to be exempt from the filibuster 60-vote requirement. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
02/14/2022
117th Congress

Cloture Vote on Robert Califf Nomination

To end debate and allow the Senate to proceed to the confirmation of Robert Califf as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
02/15/2022
117th Congress

Confirmation Vote on Califf Nomination

To confirm Robert Califf as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
02/28/2022
117th Congress

H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021

Better described as the Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act, this bill would expand abortion access, prohibit enforcement of state and federal pro-life laws, and prevent future pro-life laws. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
04/05/2022
117th Congress

Motion to proceed on Ketanji Brown Jackson Nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States

To allow the Senate to proceed to the consideration of the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
04/07/2022
117th Congress

Cloture Vote on Ketanji Brown Jackson Nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States

To end debate and allow the Senate to proceed to the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
04/07/2022
117th Congress

Confirmation Vote on Ketanji Brown Jackson Nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States

To confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson of the D.C. Circuit Court as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
04/27/2022
117th Congress

S.J.Res. 41, the disapproval resolution under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Biden administration’s 2021 Final Rule on the Title X Family Planning Program

Would overturn the Biden-Harris administration’s rule that rescinded the Trump administration’s Protect Life Rule. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
05/11/2022
117th Congress

S. 4132, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022

Better described as the Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act, this bill would expand abortion access, prohibit enforcement of state and federal pro-life laws, and prevent future pro-life laws. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
08/07/2022
117th Congress

H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act

Would extend the expanded Obamacare subsidies, which include coverage of elective abortion. SBA Pro-Life America OPPOSED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
04/19/2023
118th Congress

On the Motion (Motion to Proceed to S.J.Res. 10)

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to “Reproductive Health Services.” ROLL CALLREAD MORE
04/27/2023
118th Congress

On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed, Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Proceed to S. J. Res. 4 (DOUBLE WEIGHTED)

A joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment ROLL CALLREAD MORE
06/15/2023
118th Congress

Cloture Vote on Rikelman Nomination

A procedural vote for the Senate to move forward to the final confirmation vote of Julie Rikelman to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the First Circuit. ROLL CALLREAD MORE
06/20/2023
118th Congress

Confirmation Vote on Rikelman Nomination

To confirm Julie Rikelman to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. ROLL CALLREAD MORE
12/12/2023
118th Congress

On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1373)

This procedural motion offered by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) would initiate the process of sending H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) back to conference committee with instructions to include House-passed language to stop the illegal abortion travel policy implemented by the Biden-Harris administration through the Department of Defense. ROLL CALLREAD MORE
06/05/2024
118th Congress

S. 4381, Right to Contraception Act

S.4381, better described as the Payouts for Planned Parenthood Act, would funnel money to abortion providers, override conscience protections, and could mandate access to abortion drugs. It also feeds into the false narrative that states have prohibited contraceptives or family planning, or that there are federal efforts to do so. ROLL CALLREAD MORE
06/13/2024
118th Congress

S. 4445, Right to IVF Act

S.4445 is a solution in search of a problem, as fertility treatments are widely available and there are no serious efforts to curtail thoughtful care for those experiencing infertility. S.4445 would create a right to and coverage for unlimited fertility treatments with no safeguards while also preempting state laws that seek to establish safety and ethics standards. ROLL CALLREAD MORE
07/10/2024
118th Congress

S. 4554, Reproductive Freedom for Women Act

S.4554 states congressional support for abortion and purports that Roe v. Wade should be reinstated and “built upon.” ROLL CALLREAD MORE

Tracked Activity: Bills Cosponsored & Letters Cosigned

As of 02/01/2023

Date Vote Score
117th Congress

S. 123, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Would criminalize infanticide and clarify the standard of care that must be given to babies born alive after failed abortions. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
117th Congress

S. 78, the Support and Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act

Would prohibit the FDA from approving mail-order do-it-yourself abortions. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
117th Congress

S. 92, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act

Would codify the Hyde amendment, ensuring that no federal funds could be used for abortions or to subsidize health plans that include abortion coverage. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
117th Congress

S. 61, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Would protect unborn children from late-term abortion based on their ability to feel excruciating pain. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
117th Congress

Daines Hyde Amendment Letter to Leader Schumer

Senators who signed the letter pledged to vote against legislation that weakens current pro-life protections including the Hyde Amendment. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSIGNING READ MORE
117th Congress

COSIGNATURE: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Congressional amicus brief

This amicus brief argues that the abortion viability standard imposed by Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey is faulty and should be reconsidered. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSIGNING READ MORE
117th Congress

S. 4840, Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act

This bill would protect unborn children at 15 weeks, the point by which science undeniably proves they can feel pain. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
118th Congress

Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration SCOTUS Amicus Brief

This pro-life amicus brief asks the Supreme Court of the United States to deny a stay on a 5th Circuit ruling that would have returned chemical abortion drugs to the 2016 safety protocols, ending reckless and illegal mail-order abortion. READ MORE
118th Congress

S. 95, the Support and Value Expectant (SAVE) Moms and Babies Act of 2023 - Cosponsorship

Would prohibit the FDA from removing safety regulations for abortion drugs, stop abortion drugs from being dispensed remotely through the mail or via telemedicine, and prevent any future FDA approvals of new chemical abortion drugs. READ MORE
118th Congress

S. 62, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023 - Cosponsorship

Would codify the Hyde amendment, ensuring that no federal funds could be used for abortions or to subsidize health plans that include abortion coverage. READ MORE
118th Congress

S. 204, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act - Cosponsorship

Would criminalize infanticide and clarify the standard of care that must be given to babies born alive after failed abortions. READ MORE

2015-2021

Sen. Joni Ernst

Iowa (Republican)

SBA Rating:

A+

Sen. Joni Ernst

Iowa (Republican)

Summary

116th CongressSenator Ernst has voted consistently to protect the lives of unborn babies and infants as well as the consciences of taxpayers who don’t want their hard-earned tax dollars paying for abortion domestically or internationally. While the pro-abortion majority in the U.S. House of Representatives continually sends the Senate bills that roll back pro-life protections, the Senate has made it their priority to confirm judges and justices who will respect the constitution and leave legislating to the legislative branch.

Senator Ernst is Co-chair of the Senate Values Action Team. Senator Ernst introduced S. 2585, the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act with Senator Tom Cotton. She also introduced S. 141, the Protecting Funding for Women's Health Care Act. Senator Ernst advocated for the rights of born-alive infants during a Judiciary Committee hearing on S. 311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. She also hosted Micah Pickering, a young boy who was born at 22 weeks and has become the face of the Pain-Capable bill, and spoke on the Senate floor advocating for life.

Scored Votes

Date Vote Score
01/17/2019
116th Congress

Vote to advance S. 109, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act

Would codify the Hyde amendment, ensuring that no federal funds could be used for abortions or to subsidize health plans that include abortion coverage. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
02/25/2019
116th Congress

Vote to advance S. 311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Would criminalize infanticide and clarify the standard of care that must be given to babies born alive after failed abortions. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
02/25/2020
116th Congress

Vote to advance S. 3275, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Would protect unborn children halfway through pregnancy based on their ability to feel excruciating pain. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
02/25/2020
116th Congress

Second vote to advance S. 311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Would criminalize infanticide and clarify the standard of care that must be given to babies born alive after failed abortions. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
10/23/2020
116th Congress

Vote on the Motion to Proceed to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett

To allow the Senate to proceed to the consideration of the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
10/25/2020
116th Congress

Vote to Advance to the Final Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett

To end debate and allow the Senate to proceed to the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
10/26/2020
116th Congress

Final Vote on the Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett

To confirm Amy Coney Barrett of the Seventh Circuit Court as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE

Important Past Votes

Congress Vote Score
09/22/2015
114th Congress

2015: Vote to Advance H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Would protect unborn children halfway through pregnancy based on their ability to feel excruciating pain. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
12/03/2015
114th Congress

2015: H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015

Would defund certain abortion providers while redirecting approximately $400 million to Community Health Centers. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
03/30/2017
115th Congress

2017: H.J. Res. 43, a Congressional Review Act Nullification of Obama Administration Title X Rule

Would nullify a rule made at the end of Obama’s administration that blocked states from redirecting Title X family planning funding away from abortion providers. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
04/07/2017
115th Congress

2017: Confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court

To confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
07/25/2017
115th Congress

2017: Vote to Advance H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017, allowing consideration of the Better Care Reconciliation Act

Would repeal and replace Obamacare and defund certain abortion providers. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
07/28/2017
115th Congress

2017: Vote to Advance Amdt. 667, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, amending H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act

Would repeal and replace Obamacare and defund certain abortion providers. SBA Pro-Life America ROLL CALLREAD MORE
01/29/2018
115th Congress

2018: Vote to Advance S. 2311, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Would protect unborn children halfway through pregnancy based on their ability to feel excruciating pain. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
08/23/2018
115th Congress

2018: Paul Amendment #3967 to H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act

Would deny funding to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE
10/06/2018
115th Congress

2018: Confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court

To confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED ROLL CALLREAD MORE

Tracked Activity: Bills Cosponsored & Letters Cosigned

Date Vote Score
116th Congress

S. 109, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act

Would codify the Hyde amendment, ensuring that no federal funds could be used for abortions or to subsidize health plans that include abortion coverage. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
116th Congress

S. 160, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Would protect unborn children from late-term abortion based on their ability to feel excruciating pain. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
116th Congress

Letter to President Donald J. Trump

Requesting his veto threat for any bill that weakens pro-life policies or laws. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSIGNING READ MORE
116th Congress

S.130/S.311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Would criminalize infanticide and clarify the standard of care that must be given to babies born alive after failed abortions. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
116th Congress

S. 3072, the Support and Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act

Would prohibit the FDA from approving mail-order do-it-yourself abortions. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSPONSORSHIP READ MORE
116th Congress

Bicameral letter regarding chemical abortion restrictions

Encourages FDA Commissioner to uphold restrictions on the dispensing of chemical abortion put in place for the safety of women. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSIGNING READ MORE
116th Congress

Letter opposing funding for fetal tissue research

Encourages the president to stand strong against unethical science that uses aborted fetal tissue, and to instead continue to fund better, ethical alternatives. SBA Pro-Life America SUPPORTED COSIGNING READ MORE