Iowa’s Water Quality Concerns Amid Senatorial Race
As Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat, scrutiny surrounds her voting history on environmental regulations, particularly regarding water quality measures. The debate intensifies as Iowa voters express significant concerns over water pollution, with a January 2026 poll by Food & Water Action indicating that 58% of voters view water quality as a serious matter serious concerns.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are central to these concerns. These compounds, known for their resistance to water damage, are used in a multitude of products such as cosmetics and food packaging. Exposure to PFAS in drinking water has been associated with health risks, including various cancers and birth defects linked.
Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, emphasized the widespread contamination issue. “We’re finding them contaminating many rivers, many lakes, many drinking water supplies,” Birnbaum told NPR. “And we’re finding them not only in the environment, but we’re finding them in people.”
A 2022 Iowa Department of Natural Resources review revealed PFAS presence in at least 12 of the state’s drinking water supplies.
Legislation and Votes
In July 2021, Hinson opposed the PFAS Action Act, a measure intended to empower the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to manage PFAS contamination more effectively. Although the bill passed the House, it was ultimately halted by Senate Republicans voted against.
From 2023 to 2025, Hinson voted multiple times to curtail the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction, including efforts to reduce federal oversight of polluted waters. These decisions have sparked debate about the long-term impacts on Iowa’s environmental health.
Hinson also supported an amendment to a 2023 bill that sought to restrict the EPA’s authority in managing interstate water contamination, though this amendment did not pass also backed.
Support for Government Efficiency Program
Hinson’s advocacy for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative, has also drawn attention. The program, criticized for extensive budget cuts, is now linked to delayed PFAS cleanup efforts at numerous military sites nationwide. These delays have significantly impacted military families’ water quality, with two affected sites located in Des Moines and Sioux City. In 2019, Des Moines Water Works highlighted the threat to 50,000 central Iowans’ drinking water.
Hinson defended DOGE, stating in a statement last year, “I think that this is exactly what the federal government needs. Taxpayers voted for accountability and transparency.”
As Hinson seeks to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, the impact of her legislative record on environmental issues remains a contentious topic. The Democratic nominee for the Senate race is set to emerge from a primary on June 2.
