In 2019, Ernst Continues to Fight Relentlessly and Deliver Real Results for Her Fellow Iowans

WASHINGTON – From securing E15 year-round, to breaking ground on the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project, and from seeing her FARMERS FIRST Act in action providing mental health resources for farmers, to having her veterans bill—the HAVEN Act—signed into law, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) continued to fight relentlessly to deliver real results for Iowans this year.

“2019 was a great year, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done to help Iowa’s farmers and producers, to support our families and communities impacted by the terrible spring floods, to lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs, and to get trade deals finalized,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “Another year also means another 99 counties in the books! For the fifth time, I’ve completed my 99 County Tour, holding 35 town halls and hearing directly from thousands of Iowans in every corner of our state. There’s plenty to build on in the year ahead, and I look forward to continuing to fight relentlessly for my fellow Iowans.”

As 2019 comes to a close, Senator Ernst is reflecting on the last year and highlighting the work she’s done to deliver real results for her home state of Iowa.

VIDEO: Click HERE or on the image below for a video recap of Senator Ernst’s 2019.

AUDIO: Click HERE for an audio file download of Senator Ernst describing some highlights from 2019.

Some highlights from 2019:

• 99 County Tour – Held 35 town halls in every corner of the state—from rural areas like Red Oak, to Iowa’s most populated area, Polk County; has held a public event in every single county in Iowa since being elected.
• Upholding the RFS – Secured E15 year-round by the summer driving season; negotiated an agreement with the White House to guarantee 15 billion gallons of ethanol.
• Providing flood relief – Broke ground on the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project, following years of relentless efforts to secure $117 million; passed a federal disaster relief package to support Iowans, which included a provision to extend USDA funds to cover Iowa farmers who had lost stored grain.
• Fighting for Iowa’s farmers – Provided critical mental health support to farmers through her FARMERS FIRST Act; forced House Democrats to finally get on board with supporting the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA) trade deal, after they delayed for more than a year.
• Lowering Prescription Drug Costs – Advanced three bills in the U.S. Senate to push down drug costs for Iowans.
• Combating Sexual Assault – Authored legislation to reauthorize and modernize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); had provisions included in the annual defense bill to expand support for victims in military.
• Veterans – Secured support for veterans facing financial hardship through her HAVEN Act which was signed into law; held the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable for failures in its veteran suicide prevention programs.
• National Security – Had nearly all of her of provisions included in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA); visited U.S. troops, including a number of Iowans, deployed in Kuwait and Afghanistan the week of Thanksgiving.
• Make ‘Em Squeal – Pushed to cut future former presidents’ unlimited perks; called for federal agency headquarters to be housed closer to the heartland and outside of the DC beltway; cracked down on government projects that are over-budget and beyond schedule with her bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act; issued her monthly Squeal Award to highlight some of the most egregious waste in our government.

Click HERE for a detailed summary of Senator Ernst’s work from 2019.

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