About the Republican Policy Committee

Established in 1947, the Republican Policy Committee (RPC) is an official Senate office that serves all Republican members of the United States Senate. The Policy Committee is directed and managed by its Chairman, who is a member of the Senate Republican Leadership and who is elected to the position by his or her peers for a two-year term at the beginning of each Congress.  Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa currently serves as the 17th Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.    

According to the Rules of the Senate Republican Conference: 

The Policy Committee shall consider the legislative program in the Senate and the question whether any Party policy is involved, shall prepare and present recommendations for action by the Conference, and shall advise all Senators on legislative matters which they desire to present to the Policy Committee.

In the tradition of past chairmen, Chairman Ernst is committed to providing all Republican Senators a forum for substantive policy discussions and debate. This is principally carried out through the weekly Policy Lunch, which is a standing meeting of the Policy Committee that includes all Republican Senators and is typically held every Tuesday when the Senate is in session. The Policy Committee also provides Republican Senators and staff with issue research, written and in-person policy briefings, in-depth analysis of all pending legislation, and summaries of member voting records. The Policy Committee also manages Channel 5, which is available on all Senate televisions, and the Trunkline, which is the intranet for Senate Republican offices. The Policy Committee also holds weekly standing meetings of Republican legislative directors and committee staff directors to discuss the legislative agenda.  

The Committee’s origins date back to 1947 and its founding chairman, Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio. The Committee was created following a bipartisan proposal by the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress in 1946. The Committee was originally composed of nine Republican Senators. Today, official meetings of the Policy Committee include all Republican Senators.

Photo of the Republican Policy Committee In the Chamber room Photo of the Republican Policy Committee In the Chamber room Photo of the Republican Policy Committee In the Chamber room Photo of the Republican Policy Committee In the Chamber room Photo of the Republican Policy Committee In the Chamber room Photo of the Republican Policy Committee In the Chamber room

Republican Policy Committee Chairs

  • Robert A. Taft of Ohio (1947-1952)
  • William F. Knowland of California (1953)
  • Homer Ferguson of Michigan (1954)
  • H. Styles Bridges of New Hampshire (1955-1961)
  • Bourke B. Hickenlooper of Iowa (1961-1968)
  • Gordon Allott of Colorado (1969-1973)
  • John Tower of Texas (1973-1985)
  • William Armstrong of Colorado (1985-1991)
  • Don Nickles of Oklahoma (1991-1996)
  • Larry Craig of Idaho (1996-2003)
  • Jon Kyl of Arizona (2003-2007)
  • Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas (2007-2009)
  • John Ensign of Nevada (2009)
  • John Thune of South Dakota (2009-2012)
  • John Barrasso of Wyoming (2012-2019)
  • Roy Blunt of Missouri (2019-2023)
  • Joni Ernst of Iowa (2023-Present) 

About Chairman joni ernst

 A native of Red Oak, Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst has dedicated her life to her state and country, having served in the military for over 23 years, and now serving in the United States Senate.


In November 2014 - after her service in the Army Reserves and the Iowa National Guard, and then in state government - Joni was elected as the first woman to serve in federal office from the State of Iowa and also became the first female combat veteran elected to serve in the United States Senate.


As a mother, solider and leader, Joni is working to grow a strong economy; stand up for Iowa farmers, families, and small businesses; hold Washington accountable; ensure a strong national defense; and support her fellow veterans. 

Contact Us

Senate Republican Policy Committee
347 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Telephone: (202) 224-2946 | Fax: (202) 228-2628