Sen. Joni Ernst, US Senator for Iowa | Joni Ernst Official Webste
Sen. Joni Ernst, US Senator for Iowa | Joni Ernst Official Webste
Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa, used her social media platform on July 30 and 31, 2025, to highlight concerns about federal spending and COVID-19 relief fraud.
On July 30, Ernst posted: "SQUEAL REEL: Washington spending is off the rails! https://t.co/iV3qWvVgEq".
The following day, she referenced a new report on COVID-19 fraud. In her post dated July 31, Ernst stated: "A bombshell new report on COVID fraud:
$544 million MORE in improper payments
UNKNOWN how $1.5 billion was spent
Biden admin made almost NO EFFORT to recover $$
We must pass my SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act to hold criminals accountable and recoup stolen $$! https://t.co/YxRY5Xrf7O".
Later that same day, she shared another message regarding government spending overruns: "My Off the Rails Report exposes the billion dollar boondoggles that are way over budget!
We need to claw this money back! https://t.co/3IShJSzgpw".
Ernst has been an advocate for increased oversight of federal expenditures and has sponsored legislation such as the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act. This bill aims to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting pandemic-related fraud cases and enhance efforts to recover misused funds. The issue of improper payments during the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn bipartisan concern in Congress, with multiple reports indicating significant losses due to fraudulent claims or insufficient tracking of relief funds.
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