U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, the first woman from Iowa elected to federal office and a former lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, recently posted several statements on her social media account addressing national security concerns, leadership changes at the Department of Homeland Security, and ongoing funding issues affecting travel.
On March 24, 2026, Ernst called for an investigation into Chinese technology being sold on U.S. military bases. She wrote, “We cannot allow China to have a single foothold in our homeland. To ensure the CCP can’t spy on America, I called for a full investigation of Chinese company TP-Link whose technology is being sold in military exchanges. Thank you @BrendanCarrFCC for listening to my call to https://t.co/PomPoSc7p7”.
Later that day, Ernst congratulated a colleague on his new appointment within the federal government: “Congratulations to my friend @SenMullin! He will be a great @DHSgov secretary, and I’m excited to work with him to keep Americans safe in our homeland.”
In another post from March 24, 2026, she addressed recent travel disruptions linked to political disagreements over agency funding: “Americans traveling are experiencing hours-long delays while @TSA agents aren’t getting paid and quitting – because Chuck Schumer is playing politics. Democrats need to fund @DHSgov today.”
Senator Ernst’s public service background includes more than two decades in the military and active involvement in veterans’ affairs and national security policy. According to her official website, she assists constituents with matters involving Social Security, Medicare, immigration, and military affairs. Ernst grew up on a family farm in Montgomery County, Iowa—a background she cites as formative for her commitment to hard work and public service—and holds degrees from Iowa State University and Columbus State University.
