Iowa’s Hinson Faces Scrutiny Over Environmental Votes Amid Senate Run
In her tenure as a U.S. Representative, Ashley Hinson of Iowa has faced criticism for her voting record on environmental issues, specifically regarding clean water regulations. Her votes have raised concerns about potential exposure to hazardous chemicals like PFAS for her constituents.
As a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Hinson’s environmental policies are under increasing scrutiny. A January 2026 survey by Food & Water Action highlighted that 58% of Iowa residents consider water quality a significant issue, as reported by The Gazette.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals known for their water-resistant properties, commonly used in various consumer goods. Exposure to these chemicals in water supplies has been linked to health risks, including cancer and birth defects, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, expressed concerns through NPR, stating, “We’re finding them contaminating many rivers, many lakes, many drinking water supplies.”
A 2022 assessment by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources discovered PFAS in 12 drinking water sources across the state.
In 2021, Hinson voted against the PFAS Action Act, which aimed to require the EPA to monitor and address PFAS contamination. This legislation passed in the House but was eventually stalled in the Senate.
From 2023 to 2025, Hinson cast votes four times to curtail the Clean Water Act’s purview, including efforts to reduce federal oversight on polluted waters.
Hinson also supported a 2023 amendment that sought to limit the EPA’s reach on cross-state water contamination issues, though this proposal did not pass.
Additionally, Hinson has been an advocate for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial program from the Trump administration that proposed sweeping budget cuts. Critics argue that these cuts could disrupt essential services for Americans, as noted by NPR.
Recent delays in PFAS cleanup efforts at military sites, partly attributed to DOGE budget reductions, have raised alarms, affecting military families who face high contamination levels. Two affected sites include Air National Guard bases in Des Moines and Sioux City, impacting drinking water for thousands, as warned by Des Moines Water Works in 2019.
“I think that this is exactly what the federal government needs,” Hinson commented on DOGE, as reported by the Des Moines Register, emphasizing taxpayer accountability.
Hinson’s Senate aspirations come as Sen. Joni Ernst prepares to retire, with her Democratic opponent to be decided in the upcoming primary on June 2.
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