Senator Joni Ernst, representing Iowa in the U.S. Senate, used her social media platform on March 18, 2026, to highlight concerns over Pentagon spending and to support legislative efforts aimed at increasing government transparency.
In a post made at 20:23 UTC, Ernst endorsed Justin R. Goodman’s position on fiscal transparency: “I agree @JustinRGoodman! ‘What the COST Act does, it gives basic transparency to taxpayers all across the spectrum who have a right to know how their money is being spent.'”
Shortly after, at 20:29 UTC, she drew attention to alleged undisclosed military expenditures: “Over $77 billion in Pentagon spending was unlawfully hidden from taxpayers! I’m shining a light so Americans can know how every single one of their hard-earned dollars is being spent.”
Later that evening, at 20:51 UTC, Ernst expressed support for Senator Markwayne Mullin’s anticipated leadership role within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): “.@SenMullin will provide leadership at @DHSgov!”
According to her official website, Ernst serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and participates in several other key committees related to armed services and homeland security (source). Her office manages constituent services across Iowa and assists with casework involving federal agencies. Ernst became the first woman from Iowa elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and is recognized as the chamber’s first female combat veteran.
