Sioux City Times

Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa, addressed issues related to federal property management and food assistance in a series of posts on October 31, 2025.

In one post, Ernst drew attention to the number of unused federal buildings: "Vacant spaces primed for a @SpiritHalloween? It isn't your local strip mall, it is the nearly 7,700 vacant buildings owned by the federal government and paid for by taxpayers. Time to sell off this haunted real estate graveyard with my DISPOSAL Act!" (October 31, 2025).

Later that day, she announced new legislative efforts: "I am introducing the DISPOSAL Act to slash through pointless regulations and fast-track the sale of the government’s graveyard of lifeless real estate to generate hundreds of millions of dollars and save taxpayers billions." (October 31, 2025).

Ernst also commented on food assistance programs in another post: "There are real scares across America this Halloween. Tomorrow, 42 million Americans will be without SNAP. Republicans worked to end this nightmare, but Democrats continue to prioritize political games over the American people." (October 31, 2025).

The issue of underutilized or vacant federal properties has been an ongoing concern in Congress. Proposals such as Senator Ernst's DISPOSAL Act aim to address inefficiencies by streamlining regulations and facilitating sales of surplus properties.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves millions nationwide. Legislative disputes have periodically threatened funding for SNAP benefits; partisan disagreements often shape debates about program funding and reform.