What Joni Ernst said, and what was done

“Mr. President, taxpayers deserve to know how the money they send to Washington is being spent. For 20 years now, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act has required unclassified government spending to be put online in a searchable public website, USAspending.gov.”

“For example, I uncovered that Washington sent nearly $500 million to China to pay for everything from poetry projects to dangerous research on bats. Another $870 million of U.S. taxpayer money went to Russia.”

“I can appreciate the dilemma that many of us are in as we debate these very important bills, and they are very important bills. So what I have in front of me here at my desk is a list of 59 House bills that have been passed this Congress.”

“I discussed it with my staff. I am in the last 6 months of my final term in the U.S. Senate. I would love to have more of my legacy items with my name on them, but I told my staff that it is more important that we get these bills done.”

“Madam President, as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit.”

“Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit.”

“Taxpayer dollars have even been handed out to phony businesses with such obviously made-up names that are so outrageous that no one could possibly believe they were real, such as ``Satanic Lives Matter'' and others that are so tasteless I can't even say them.”

“With a vision of building a local craft brewing scene in north central Iowa, brothers Nate and Todd McCubbin founded ShinyTop Brewing in 2016 after Nate, a military veteran, discovered a passion for homebrewing.”

“Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor my dear friend and colleague Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Before he ever set foot on this floor, he wore the uniform of the U.S.”

“Mr. President, today, I join millions of Americans commemorating the Dobbs Supreme Court decision anniversary. We are united in two simple truths: Abortion is not a constitutional right, but life is.”

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, claiming Republicans pose a threat to contraception is absurd. Despite fearmongering and election-year stunts from the left, over-the-counter daily oral contraceptive pills are available everywhere and have been for years.”

“Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to honor Fairfield Dental Clinic of Jefferson County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.”

“Mr. President, folks, we all know energy security is national security. Right now, what is left of the brutal Iranian regime is holding the world hostage and targeting the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.”

“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of my colleagues.”

“Mr. President, I also would like to thank Ranking Member Markey for his great collaboration on these bills. It is another example of truly bipartisan work and collaboration to get these bills done, to get them off the floor of the Senate and on their way.”

“Mr. President, COVID-19 fraudsters stole at least $200 billion, but time is now running out to hold every single one accountable. Starting this week, crooks who defrauded pandemic relief programs are getting away.”

“Pandemic program fraud investigations have already uncovered $57 billion in fraud and issued 1,200 indictments. The SBA is currently conducting a manual review of over $3 billion in Restaurant Revitalization Fund awards, but in this program alone, more than $9.5 billion of awards still require review.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fellow Iowan, a friend, and an extraordinary leader GEN Randy A. George, upon his retirement from the U.S. Army after more than four decades of distinguished service to our Nation.”

“Mr. President, for 41 days, Democrats have kept the Department of Homeland Security shut down--41 days. This is on top of Chuck Schumer's 43-day shutdown last fall. Thanks to Senate Democrats, right now, 50,000 TSA agents have been working without pay since February 14.”

“Well, not today, Charlie. Look, folks. We need to get this done not only because it is the right thing to do for hard-working Americans who have earned their paychecks but because safety and security are on the line.”

“Mr. President, as chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit.”

“Mr. President, Waukee, IA, native MAJ Jeffrey O'Brien devoted his life to the defense of the United States for more than a decade. Today, I am mourning, alongside our entire Nation, his loss.”

“Mr. President, today, we remember CW3 Robert Marzan, a longtime resident of Des Moines, IA. While his sacrifice can never be repaid, his courageous service will never be forgotten.”

“Mr. President, Iowa and our Nation mourn the loss of SGT Declan Coady. A native of West Des Moines, IA, Sergeant Coady served his Nation honorably. He represented the best of us, and I am incredibly thankful for his brave and selfless dedication to defending our freedoms and keeping our homeland safe.”

“Today, Sunset Scoops operates as a local ice cream shop offering a wide variety of sweet treats, including banana splits, sundaes, root beer floats, donuts, milkshakes, and their best-selling specialty, ice cream nachos.”

“Mr. President, as a combat veteran who deployed to the Middle East, I serve to protect America, not just then but always. And I stand strongly with our Commander in Chief as he acts on behalf of the safety and security of Americans.”

“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of Senator Klobuchar.”

“I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.”

“Mr. President, I rise today as the Senate puts small business first in America's innovation program and gives them the certainty they need to build and grow. For too long, our Nation's seed fund programs, SBIR and STTR, have been allowed to prioritize a few large companies over truly small businesses.”

“Mr. President, today, I honor the distinguished service and long career of GEN James J. Mingus, a native of Spencer, IA, who devoted more than four decades to the defense of the United States and to the soldiers he led.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fellow Iowan and an exemplary leader, GEN James J. Mingus, upon his retirement from the U.S. Army after more than four decades of distinguished service to our Nation.”

“Mr. President, last Friday, thousands of Americans and many Iowans braved nearly freezing temperatures to join this year's March for Life. I stand united with them in a simple truth: Life is a gift worth protecting.”

“Mr. President, the COVID pandemic is over, and the emergency spending spree should be over too. The COVID-era ObamaCare boosts were temporary, and now those temporary benefits are set to return to pre-COVID levels--exactly as the law intended.”

“Mr. President, Iowa State University President Dr. Wendy Wintersteen is an exemplary leader whose decades of service have left an enduring mark on generations of Iowa students, families, and communities.”

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object. Mr. President, I object. The United Arab Emirates is a close partner with whom we have vital cooperation on regional security, counterterrorism, and Middle East stability.”

“Mr. President as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit.”

“Mr. President, as I visit with farmers, traveling river to river across Iowa, I hear all too often about the crushing weight of healthcare costs on farm families.”

“Mr. President, legend has it that all the halls of the Capitol are haunted by a demon cat. If you look closely, paw prints left behind by this stray spirit can be spotted outside the entrance of the Old Supreme Court Chamber.”

“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of Senators Welch and Whitehouse.”

“Main Street organization where he chairs the design committee. Most recently, they received Bloomfield Main Street's ``Spiffy Biz Award,'' celebrating businesses that enhance the beauty and vitality of the community.”

“And while Congress will be paid for failing to do its job, many essential government employees who have continued to work through this shutdown will likely miss their next paycheck.”

“Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa Small Business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit.”

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, the status quo will not work. I cannot continue to let China win, allow waste to run rampant, or fail our warfighters.”

“Our Nation cannot afford to extend another flawed program that fails to meet the innovation challenges of the 21st century. With China at our heels and wasted taxpayer dollars being funneled out the door, it is clear the status quo does not work or serve our truly small businesses.”

“Mr. President, the same Washington politicians who were whining about DOGE laying off unnecessary bureaucrats just a few months ago are now exposing who is and who isn't an essential employee by forcing a government shutdown.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to raise an alarming issue. The Chinese Communist Party is stealing sensitive intellectual property developed using your tax dollars. We are all too familiar with the threat of Chinese espionage.”

“Over 40 years ago, the SBIR Program was established as America's seed fund to serve as an innovation pipeline to support our warfighters and maintain a technological edge.”

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object. Ranking Member Markey, I continue to want to work with you to find common ground and pass the SBIR reauthorization with bipartisan reforms, but the status quo will not work.”

“Madam President, today the Senate will vote to advance the nomination of Dr. Casey Mulligan to be the Chief Counsel of the Office of Advocacy at the Small Business Administration.”

“Sweets by Keke not only serves quality baked goods but also gives back to their community. Jenny and her family are consistently contributing to local fire departments, schools, and more.”

“Mr. President, all Americans can take great pride in our Nation's generosity that has saved millions of people around the world from starvation and disease, and our government Agencies coordinating aid efforts should be eager to share details about how their use of taxpayer money makes the world a better place.”

“Mr. President, today the Senate will vote to advance the nomination of Mr. William Briggs to be the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote yes in support of his nomination.”

“Mr. President, too many of the idle rich are living high off the hog, collecting government checks for not working, while at the same time earning a million dollars or more from some other side venture.”

“Mr. President, Uncle Sam is the Nation's largest landlord. Yet he will never win a round of Monopoly, the classic board game where players try to make money and avoid going bankrupt by buying, renting, and selling property.”

“Huffman's Welding & Machine, which the Huffman family has kept running for more than 50 years. While working there, the brothers saw an opportunity to expand into the retail industry when clients and contractors not only picked up their finished products but also purchased tools and other small offerings.”

“Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague and great friend, as we work on this together. I really appreciate your leadership. Thank you for allowing me to join you on the floor today as we show our support for your bill, Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025.”

“Mr. President, today, I stand here to recognize small business. Actually, today, I rise to recognize Kelsi Daniell. Kelsi began working in my office 7 years ago, as a press secretary, and quickly proved herself, moving up to communications director and now deputy chief of staff for communications and policy.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to seek unanimous consent to confirm Casey Mulligan, the President's nominee to be the chief counsel of the Office of Advocacy at the Small Business Administration.”

“Iowa Falls, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. After moving to Iowa Falls in 2014, Dominick ``Rocky'' Damiano and his wife Karla recognized the need for a full-service meat processor and locker that farmers, hunters, and other community members could trust to deliver high-quality products.”

“In 2018, Sara and Matt Ricke acquired the historic St. Louis Catholic Church in Royal, IA. The couple envisioned preserving the religious landmark while integrating modern touches to transform the former church into an event space.”

“Madam President, with great pride and admiration, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all involved in the commissioning of the USS IOWA (SSN 797), including commanding officer Gregory Coy.”

“Madam President, today, I rise in support of the confirmation of Matt Whitaker to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Matt is not only a proud Iowan, he is a dedicated public servant, an accomplished leader, a loving father, and a very, very, dear friend.”

“Matt and I first crossed paths during the 2014 U.S. Senate primary in Iowa. What began as opponents in a race turned into a mutual respect and, ultimately, a strong friendship.”

“Mulholland Grocery to reinvest in the store and buy catering equipment. Its reputation grew as local newspapers, radio shows, and magazines also circulated stories about the store and its specialty offerings.”

“Some of DOGE's findings include that the Small Business Administration gave out more than $300 million in loans to thousands of children 11 years and younger; Agencies were paying for tens of thousands of unused software licenses; and the Department of Veterans Affairs was paying $56,000 to water eight plants for 5 years.”

“Mike and Rachel won the Iowa State University Outstanding Horticulture Alumni of the Year award for their small business success and service to the Cresco community. In 2024, the two received the Iowa Leadership in Agriculture Education Award in recognition of the business' ``Educate the Educators'' program, which trains and mentors teachers on greenhouse production, horticulture genetics, and real-world horticulture practices.”

“Mr. President, in just a few minutes, we will be asked to decide whether the Honorable Kelly Loeffler should be confirmed as Administrator of the Small Business Administration.”

“Mr. President, later today, we have the opportunity to advance the nomination of the Honorable Kelly Loeffler to be the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. Senator Loeffler is immensely qualified for this role.”

“Mr. President, the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship today adopted rules governing its procedures for the 119th Congress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the accompanying rules adopted by the U.S.”

“Chair and Ranking Member or by a majority vote of the members of the Committee. Quorums (a)(1) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for reporting any legislative measure or nomination. (2) One-third of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of routine business, provided that one Minority Member is present.”

“Mr. President, I rise in support of the Laken Riley Act and ask my fellow colleagues to vote for my amendment, Sarah's Law. Combined, these actions will close the loopholes that for too long have allowed murderers who come here illegally to roam free in our communities and commit more crimes.”

“Mr. President, thank you to my colleague from Oklahoma, Senator James Lankford, for arranging today's event. Mr. President, a winter storm shut down the Nation's Capital this week, but did anyone notice?”

“Headed up by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, DOGE is putting Washington on notice. Henceforward, every cent being spent will now be scrutinized. All regulations must be justified and continually rejustified using data and outcomes, not just ideology.”