Sioux City Times

Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa, has used her Twitter account to highlight issues related to government spending and public engagement. On August 7, 2025, Ernst addressed recent actions by the Department of Veterans Affairs and advocated for broader reform in federal employment practices. She wrote, "Thank you, @SecVetAffairs for requiring bureaucrats to serve America's veterans during the workday instead of engaging in union activity. This must be replicated across government with my Protecting Taxpayers' Wallet Act to fully eliminate taxpayer-funded union time."

The following day, on August 8, 2025, Ernst posted about a local event: "Nothing says summer like the Iowa State Fair! Don’t miss out on meeting Finnegan! " Later that same day, she returned to the topic of government spending: "$207 million of your tax dollars were spent to pay federal employees not to do their jobs, but to negotiate cushy perks! I’m working to expose this waste, end taxpayer-funded union time, and get federal bureaucrats back to working for the American people!"

Senator Ernst’s comments reference longstanding debates over the use of "official time," a policy allowing federal employees who are union representatives to perform union duties during work hours while still receiving their government salary. Supporters argue that official time helps resolve workplace disputes efficiently and supports collective bargaining rights; critics contend it is an unnecessary cost borne by taxpayers.

Her proposed Protecting Taxpayers' Wallet Act seeks to end this practice throughout federal agencies. The issue has been debated in Congress for several years as lawmakers consider various approaches to reduce government expenditures and increase accountability among federal workers.