Joni Ernst had been seen as a key hurdle to Pete Hegseth’s confirmation. She approached her questions firmly but without confrontation Tuesday.

Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department ... Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines ...

Joni Ernst pressed Pete Hegseth about women ... who grew up in eastern Iowa, is headlining a political event in West Des Moines later this month in an apparent attempt to help drive home the ...