WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, was sworn-in to the 117th Congress on Sunday. For the official swearing-in on the Senate floor, Ernst was escorted by her fellow Iowan, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and was given the oath of office by Vice President Mike Pence. Ernst swore her oath of office on her grandmother’s Bible.
She was joined by her daughter, Libby Ernst, and Libby’s fiancé, Andrew Maier.
After her swearing-in, Ernst issued the following statement:
“It’s a privilege to represent the people of the great state of Iowa in the United States Senate. As I did throughout my first term in the Senate, I will continue to put Iowa first – visiting every county each year to hear directly from Iowans and making sure your voices are heard in Washington, D.C.,” Ernst said. “I’m humbled and honored by the support of folks in every corner of our state, and I look forward to getting right back to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue serving Iowans in the 117th Congress.”
