Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, has her full endorsement following the nominee's confirmation hearing Tuesday in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Ernst, who served in Iraq and is a retired lieutenant colonel in Iowa's Army National Guard, had been on the fence about Hegseth, particularly regarding his views about women serving in combat roles.
"After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense," Ernst said in a statement. "Our next commander-in-chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense.
"As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks."
Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to serve in the U.S. Senate, found common ground with Hegseth during the confirmation hearing as they agreed that women seeking to serve in combat roles should meet the same high standards as men.
"For the young women that are out there now and can meet those standards — and again, I'll emphasize they should be very, very high standards," Ernst told Hegseth during the hearing. "They must physically be able to achieve those standards so that they can complete their mission. But I want to know, again, let's make it very clear for everyone here today: As secretary of defense, will you support women continuing to have the opportunity to serve in combat roles?"
Hegseth, who in his opening statement to the committee, emphasized the need for "equal" but not "equitable" standards for those serving in uniform, agreed that women should not be denied that opportunity.
"My answer is yes, exactly the way that you caveated it," he told Ernst. "Yes, women will have access to ground combat roles given the standards remain high. And we'll have a review to ensure the standards have not been eroded."
Ernst also secured commitments from Hegseth that he would ensure the Pentagon passes an audit by 2028 and that he would appoint a senior-level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response within the military.