Rep. Ashley Hinson’s Voting Record Under Scrutiny Amid Senate Campaign
Iowa Representative Ashley Hinson, currently vying for a U.S. Senate seat, has missed nearly 200 votes in Congress, including critical ones aimed at addressing AI-generated child pornography.
Hinson, a Republican, faces Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek in what is shaping up to be a high-stakes electoral contest. Congressional records reveal that since her induction into the House in 2021, Hinson has missed 163 committee votes and 33 floor votes. While some absences were due to bouts of COVID-19 in January 2022 and April 2026, many remain unexplained.
Missed Votes in Vital Committees
Significant votes Hinson missed were within the House Appropriations Committee, responsible for determining federal funding allocations. Notably, in May 2025, she was absent for a vote aimed at increasing funds for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to combat the surge of AI-generated child pornography, as reported by the committee manager.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children cited receiving over a million reports in 2025 of sexually explicit AI images of minors, many involving real children as models.
Impact on Crime and Healthcare Legislation
Hinson also did not participate in several committee votes targeted at reducing violent crime. In September 2025, she missed votes on increasing funding for the Violence Against Women Act, transitional housing for domestic abuse victims, and a community-based violence intervention initiative. According to Iowa Public Radio, domestic violence deaths in Iowa rose between 2021 and 2024.
Her absence extended to a vote concerning the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, alongside multiple healthcare-related committee votes. These included a 2023 vote to address doctor shortages in the Veterans Affairs system and 2025 votes for senior nutrition programs and rural physician training.
Data Center Controversy and Campaign Priorities
Hinson skipped a vote on an amendment requiring data centers to disclose construction plans and mandating the Energy Department to assess their impact on utility bills. With 116 data centers in Iowa and local moratoriums on further construction, Hinson commented to KGAN News that such decisions should be made locally.
Additionally, it was reported last month that Hinson missed voting on 11 amendments to the 2027 Defense Appropriations bill due to attending a fundraiser for her Senate campaign.
Attendance and Polling Insights
On average, House members miss about 2% to 3% of roll-call votes annually, but committee votes are not always included in attendance records. This discrepancy suggests Hinson’s attendance appears better than it might be. An Emerson College poll recently showed Hinson leading Turek by a slim margin of three points.
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