Sioux City Times

Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa, shared several updates on her Twitter account on August 23, 2025, focusing on issues ranging from biofuel policy to college sports.

In a post at 01:20 UTC, Ernst addressed ongoing concerns in the biofuels sector. She wrote, "Iowa farmers and biofuel producers deserve certainty. Biden left SREs backlogged, but I’m glad to see the Trump admin cleaning up the mess. I’ll continue working with @EPA to reallocate gallons and ensure biofuels drive America’s energy dominance." Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) have been a point of contention for Iowa's agricultural community, which relies heavily on ethanol production as part of its economy.

Later that day, Ernst commented on a sports event involving Iowa State University. At 16:11 UTC she posted, "Even the luck of the Irish can’t save the cats. Go clones! https://t.co/Tnxgd9R5Yh", referencing the Iowa State Cyclones—commonly known as "Clones"—and their athletic rivalry.

She followed up with another supportive message at 22:13 UTC: "Roll Clones https://t.co/TFk4UulhbK". These posts underscore Ernst's continued engagement with her state's university sports teams.

The discussion around Small Refinery Exemptions has been significant in Iowa politics. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), established by Congress in 2005 and expanded in 2007, mandates blending renewable fuels like ethanol into transportation fuel supplies. Delays or exemptions in implementing these standards have drawn criticism from Midwestern lawmakers who argue that they harm rural economies dependent on corn-based ethanol production.

Senator Ernst has previously advocated for consistent federal support for biofuels and close cooperation with agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure compliance with renewable fuel targets.