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Sylvia Garcia's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (TX) - District 29

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Sylvia Garcia is currently being tested through the 2024 Political Courage Test.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • "One year after Roe v. Wade fell, @HouseDemocrats are still fighting for reproductive freedom. Abortion is health care – period." (x.com)
  • "I call on my Senate colleagues to codify Roe v. Wade immediately." (x.com)
  • "This week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments asking them to overturn #RoeVWade We must protect women’s access to critical reproductive care & stop attacks like TX’s #SB8 & the SCOTUS case. It’s time for the Senate to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act & codify Roe today." (x.com)
  • "Today millionaires and billionaires stop paying into #SocialSecurity for the rest of 2020, while most workers are expected to contribute year round. It's time to change that! #ScraptheCap and use the additional money from millionaires and billionaires to #ExpandSocialSecurity." (x.com)
  • "On this 87th anniversary of Social Security, I vow to continue to put #PeopleOverPolitics and #ProtectSocialSecurity for our seniors. Sadly, extreme MAGA Republicans want to end this program, but @HouseDemocrats and I won’t let that happen." (x.com)
  • "Social Security benefits are the bedrock of retirement income paid into by working Americans their entire lives. We must protect and expand benefits so that every senior is able to retire with dignity and keep up with the rising costs of living." (www.sylviaforcongress.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (None)
  • "House Republicans used their very first bill to hand a giveaway to big corporations and billionaires that cheat on their taxes, adding an explosive $114 billion to the deficit. House Democrats will always fight to ensure the well-off pay their fair share." (x.com)
  • "@HouseDemocrats and President Biden have already delivered record deficit reduction. Now, we’re working to reduce the deficit even more by making the wealthy and well-connected pay their fair share." (x.com)
  • "@HouseDemocrats are putting People Over Politics to lower costs and create better-paying jobs. We’re committed to growing the middle class by investing in America and making sure big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share." (x.com)
  • Rated 13% by FreedomWorks (None)
  • "Today millionaires and billionaires stop paying into #SocialSecurity for the rest of 2020, while most workers are expected to contribute year round. It's time to change that! #ScraptheCap and use the additional money from millionaires and billionaires to #ExpandSocialSecurity." (x.com)
  • "@HouseDemocrats are putting People Over Politics to lower costs and create better-paying jobs. We’re committed to growing the middle class by investing in America and making sure big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share." (x.com)
  • "House Republicans used their very first bill to hand a giveaway to big corporations and billionaires that cheat on their taxes, adding an explosive $114 billion to the deficit. House Democrats will always fight to ensure the well-off pay their fair share." (x.com)
  • Rated 13% by FreedomWorks (None)
  • "#CitizensUnited opened the floodgate of corporate spending in politics causing a wave of dark money to influence our elections and drown out the voices of every day Americans." (x.com)
  • "It’s time that the Senate pass #HR1, which would help eliminate the influence of dark money in our elections." (x.com)
  • Rated 94% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Marched w/ thousands of Houstonians who are peacefully demanding justice for #GeorgeFloyd and systemic changes. We must put an end to police brutality, racism, and white supremacy. There is no place for any of this in Houston or anywhere in America." (x.com)
  • "Today, I stand proudly and boldly with @HouseDemocrats in support of the #GeorgeFloyd #JusticeInPolicingAct, which tackles head on police brutality and racial profiling in policing." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6395 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats passed the Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and now we’ve passed the Inflation Reduction Act to create better-paying jobs with investments in clean, secure American energy." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "The @SenateGOP turned their backs on millions of Americans who could soon face evictions in the middle of a pandemic. The Senate must pass @RepMaxineWaters’ emergency housing bill to create a $100 billion rental assistance fund and extend the eviction moratorium." (x.com)
  • "Houstonians deserve affordable housing! @FSCDems is proud of the work done by Secretary Fudge and @HUDgov to improve housing supply, affordability, and equitable access" (x.com)
  • "In the past decade, Houston home prices have nearly doubled, and half of residents now spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs alone. It's time to uplift our communities and close the gap in affordable housing." (x.com)
  • "Say it with me: #HousingIsInfrastructure The people of my district know that investing in families and housing is how we #BuildBackBetter. Because every American should be able to say "mi casa es su casa," let’s get it done." (x.com)
  • "Democrats passed the Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and now we’ve passed the Inflation Reduction Act to create better-paying jobs with investments in clean, secure American energy." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "With the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats are lowering health care premiums for working Americans by hundreds per month – taking on the special interests and putting more $$$ in your pocket. #PeopleOverPolitics" (x.com)
  • "The Biden-Harris Administration’s student debt relief plan will provide 40 million working and middle-class Americans a little extra breathing room as they recover from the pandemic and prepare to resume loan payments." (x.com)
  • "Thanks you @POTUS for putting #PeopleOverPolitics with your Student Loan Forgiveness Plan. This will bring much-needed relief to hardworking American families." (x.com)
  • "I am deeply dissappointed by the Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan." (x.com)
  • "@POTUS has taken a massive step in the right direction by forgiving up to $20,000 in student loan debt to help everyday working families. Simply put, he put #peopleoverpolitics. I’m proud of our President, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact this has on our country." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I voted to protect the #votingrights of every Texan by voting YES on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Thank you to TX Dems for your brave efforts! #HR4 will ensure that the TX GOP #SuppressionSessions can no longer threaten the voting rights of our communities." (x.com)
  • Rated 94% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4 "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • "Thank you @cemvita for hosting me. It’s great to see so much innovation in Houston! We know Houston is the energy capital of the world, and with these bright minds we will be the GREEN energy capital as well!" (x.com)
  • "Today, I joined @SecGranholm, @houmayor, @JacksonLeeTX18, and @PlumbersLU68 to learn about our upcoming energy transition and the jobs it will create. Soon, workers in energy sectors, like oil and gas, will be able to use their skills for new good-paying clean energy jobs!" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 95% by League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • "Today, I joined @SecGranholm, @houmayor, @JacksonLeeTX18, and @PlumbersLU68 to learn about our upcoming energy transition and the jobs it will create. Soon, workers in energy sectors, like oil and gas, will be able to use their skills for new good-paying clean energy jobs!" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America (None)
  • "Malls are not safe, schools are not safe, and places of worship are not safe. We should not be afraid to step outside our homes out of fear of losing our lives at the mercy of an assault weapon. It's time to put people over the NRA, and we need gun reform NOW." (x.com)
  • "Today, I #WearOrange for every victim of gun violence because they deserve to be honored with actions that can #EndGunViolence in America. That's why I urge the @senatemajldr to take immediate action on gun reform measures already passed in the House." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (None)
  • "I’ve worked as a County Commissioner to expand local community clinics and as a State Senator appealing to state leaders to expand Medicaid in our State. Now, I’m ready to take that fight to Washington, and I will work tirelessly at the federal level as I did at the state and local level to ensure all Texans have access to quality healthcare. I will fight for Medicare for All." (www.sylviaforcongress.com)
  • "Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right and should be universally available for everyone." (x.com)
  • "Right now, 4 million Texans have no healthcare coverage. This is unacceptable, especially in a pandemic. That’s why I am fighting to expand #Medicaid & help Texans access the coverage they need." (x.com)
  • "Paid leave is essential for working families. It improves the economy by ensuring workers don’t lose their jobs because they had a child, or their elder parent needs care. Paid leave for American workers is part of how we #BuildBackBetter" (x.com)
  • "Nearly 4 in 5 private sector workers have no access to paid family leave. The #BuildBackBetter Agenda guarantees 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, to help improve the health of new mothers & reduce wage loss. Let’s get it done!" (x.com)
  • "No parent should have to choose between their job and their sick child. For working families, paid leave is essential. That's why I proudly joined a letter with my @HouseDemocrats colleagues in support of the paid leave program in the #BuildBackBetter Act." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "@HouseDemocrats have taken on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices. Our new law caps insulin prices at $35 a month and limits out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare – saving millions of Americans money." (x.com)
  • "Democrats are lowering health care and prescription drug costs for Americans, cutting costs for people who buy health care coverage on their own, capping out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "What’s radical is how @ICEgov hurts #Immigrant and #Latino communities. I urge my colleagues in Congress to work with me to decriminalize border crossings and #AbolishICE. We owe it to families such as Roland’s that are affected by such policies." (x.com)
  • "Appalled by the ongoing cruel and inhumane tactics employed by @GovAbbott at the Texas border. The situation's reality is unsettling as these buoys' true danger and brutality come to light. We must stop this NOW!" (x.com)
  • "I support @RepPressley's amendment that would block the President from diverting funds from the North American Development Bank for his #BorderWall vanity project. This bank funds environmental projects on the U.S.-Mexico border. He must not misuse these funds for his wall." (x.com)
  • Rated 7% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "I am strongly opposed to H.R. 5283. As someone who was born and raised in south Texas, I understand the importance of a secure border. Anti-immigrant rhetoric will not make us safer. The American Dream and Promise Act is a real bipartisan solution for millions of Dreamers." (x.com)
  • "Economists agree: a pathway to citizenship for #Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers would grow the economy and create jobs for everyone. But on top of that, it’s simply the right thing to do. Let’s get a pathway to citizenship in reconciliation. #WeAreHome" (x.com)
  • "Folks are more outraged with @SpeakerPelosi ripping up the speech in half than with the fact that Trump has ripped families apart at the border. #SOTU2020 He’s ripped babies from their parents’ arms and put them in cages. That should outrage EVERYONE!" (x.com)
  • Rated 7% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522: "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today, we commemorate the one-year anniversary of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. On this day, let’s show the people of Ukraine that we stand with them in their determination to win this war and safeguard their democracy." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5691: "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "On Wednesday, I told Mr. Zuckerberg that many of us in Congress and around the world have concerns about @facebook's Libra Project. We need assurances that this project can't be used by terrorist organizations to launder money at the expense of our national security." (x.com)
  • "Had a 20-Hour hearing to break up #BigTech monopolies." (x.com)
  • "We’re working hard #ForThePeople, fighting to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that we can regulate @facebook’s Libra Project." (x.com)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
No Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
No Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
I support the legal use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Yes Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
No Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
I believe we should always try to use diplomacy to prevent nuclear proliferation, but I could envision a situation where military intervention would be necessary to prevent a dangerous regime from attaining a nuclear weapon. Although I would need to see indisputable evidence of this before making a decision. In the current climate, I would not support increasing American intervention into the Middle East, but this could change depending on the situation.
If elected to congress, I will fight to bring good paying jobs with benefits to my district. I would also work for comprehensive immigration reform.

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