It’s not every day that a U.S. Senator returns to their old stomping grounds to a standing ovation, but then again, not every Senator has a record like Joni Ernst. During her annual visit to the Iowa Statehouse today, the Senate took a moment to pause the legislative grind and honor one of their own for a career defined by service, sacrifice, and a career-long crusade against government waste.
Led by State Sen. Dan Zumbach (R-Ryan), the chamber passed a resolution recognizing Ernst’s transition from a Montgomery County daughter to a history-making leader on the national stage.
A Record of Firsts and “Making ‘Em Squeal”
The resolution didn’t just touch on her current role in D.C.; it traced the arc of a career built on the “Iowa Model” of hard work. The Senate highlighted several key pillars of her service:
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Military Distinction: 23 years in the United States Army and Iowa Army National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
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Breaking Barriers: Her status as the first woman from Iowa elected to federal office and the first female combat veteran to ever serve in the U.S. Senate.
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Fiscal Watchdog: Her famous “Make ‘Em Squeal” mantra, which has become a staple of her mission to protect taxpayer dollars from the high-spend mentalities that plague places like Washington D.C., California, and Illinois.
A Legacy Defined
First elected to the Senate in the 2014 Republican wave, Ernst has been a fixture of Iowa’s political landscape for over a decade. While her influence in Washington has remained formidable, she shared in September 2025 that she would not seek reelection in 2026, choosing instead to focus on her growing family. The Senate’s tribute today felt less like a standard greeting and more like a definitive “thank you” to a leader.
“A Tireless Champion”
Sen. Zumbach’s remarks were a reminder that while Ernst may spend her weeks in the nation’s capital, her focus remains firmly rooted in the Cyclone state. He noted her desk in the Iowa Senate used to be anchored by her grandmother’s tattered Bible—a symbol of the values she took with her to Washington.
“She continues to prioritize the safety of our nation and the well-being of those who defend it… all while maintaining her home in Red Oak near her land and family,” Zumbach said during his floor remarks.
Roots in Red Oak
For Ernst, the recognition was a rare moment of reflection in a career that has never known a slow gear.
“Answering the call to serve my nation and the great state of Iowa has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Ernst said. “I’m moved that the folks in the Iowa Senate, including many past colleagues and lifelong friends, took the time to say thank you in such a thoughtful and meaningful way.”
The tribute stands in stark contrast to the political dysfunction often seen in other states. While high-tax, high-regulation states struggle with leadership vacuums, Iowa continues to celebrate a brand of public service that values local control, fiscal restraint, and—above all—remembering where you came from.
