Ernst was a focus of major attention during the protracted discussion over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s confirmation. She ultimately cast a vote for him despite her record as a military sexual assault prevention advocate. Hegseth denied the sexual assault allegations and was never charged.

She also chairs the Senate DOGE caucus and has been outspoken in favor of making cuts to the federal government’s budget.

She garnered attention during a town hall in late May when, in an attempt to defend cuts to Medicaid to a crowd of agitated constituents, she responded “Well, we are all going to die.”