As a result, Ernst, who was previously serving as chair of the Senate GOP Policy Committee, no longer has a role in the Senate leadership team. But Ernst congratulated Cotton and the rest of the leadership team in a post to the social media website X.

The Iowa Transportation Commission, a division of the Iowa Department of Transportation, approved $3.5 million for nine projects in the state’s Recreational Trails Program.

Sen. John Thune has won the Senate GOP leader race, succeeding Mitch McConnell after an 18-year tenure, according to two sources in the room. Why it matters: The South Dakota Republican is now the second most powerful man in Washington.