Recovery efforts are in full swing in Greenfield, just over a year after an EF-4 tornado devastated the town, displacing families and incurring millions in damages. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst visited Greenfield to assess the progress first-hand, with a specific focus on how federal funding has contributed to the area’s rebuilding efforts and how it could be improved.During her visit, Ernst toured a Habitat for Humanity home under construction — one of two being built to house local families severely impacted by the tornado. The senator spoke with the future homeowners, a local couple whose previous home sustained more than $100,000 in damages, as well as Habitat for Humanity coordinators. “We want to hear about the good things they’re doing so we know where our federal dollars are best invested to make sure they are making a difference,” Ernst said.As the leader of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus, Ernst is charged with bridging the Trump administration’s efforts to curb government spending in Congress. Her stop in Greenfield was an opportunity to assess the federal spending cuts that could impact nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and their efforts to assist recovery efforts after disasters like the one in Greenfield.“At the end of the day, all of (the discussion) is really important to understand,” Ernst explained. “When I go back to Washington, D.C., and we’re looking at different programs, we can determine what’s helpful and what’s not.”Sen. Ernst’s day in Iowa was busy. In addition to her stop in Adair County, she joined a roundtable in Waukee with law enforcement leaders to discuss how local departments can be best supported. “A lot of (the discussion) focused on funding and making sure the departments have the tools and equipment they need every day,” Ernst said.Ernst also visited Carrollton, IA, to discuss agriculture with Iowa Pork Producers and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
Recovery efforts are in full swing in Greenfield, just over a year after an EF-4 tornado devastated the town, displacing families and incurring millions in damages. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst visited Greenfield to assess the progress first-hand, with a specific focus on how federal funding has contributed to the area’s rebuilding efforts and how it could be improved.
During her visit, Ernst toured a Habitat for Humanity home under construction — one of two being built to house local families severely impacted by the tornado. The senator spoke with the future homeowners, a local couple whose previous home sustained more than $100,000 in damages, as well as Habitat for Humanity coordinators.
“We want to hear about the good things they’re doing so we know where our federal dollars are best invested to make sure they are making a difference,” Ernst said.
As the leader of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus, Ernst is charged with bridging the Trump administration’s efforts to curb government spending in Congress. Her stop in Greenfield was an opportunity to assess the federal spending cuts that could impact nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and their efforts to assist recovery efforts after disasters like the one in Greenfield.
“At the end of the day, all of (the discussion) is really important to understand,” Ernst explained. “When I go back to Washington, D.C., and we’re looking at different programs, we can determine what’s helpful and what’s not.”
Sen. Ernst’s day in Iowa was busy. In addition to her stop in Adair County, she joined a roundtable in Waukee with law enforcement leaders to discuss how local departments can be best supported.
“A lot of (the discussion) focused on funding and making sure the departments have the tools and equipment they need every day,” Ernst said.
Ernst also visited Carrollton, IA, to discuss agriculture with Iowa Pork Producers and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
