Ken Calvert — Republican Candidate for U.S. House in California, 2026

Ken Calvert opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants, advocating for an enforcement-first immigration strategy to uphold the rule of law. He introduced the EMBER Act to mitigate wildfire risks along the southern border. Calvert also supports the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which he voted for, citing it as a measure to restore voter confidence by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.

“America truly is the land of immigrants – legal immigrants who bravely sacrifice the comforts and security of their home country so they can share in the American dream. It is an affront to all those who have come to the U.S. legally to provide amnesty to those who chose to break our laws in coming here illegally. We all certainly understand that people who come here are only seeking a better life, but we must uphold the rule of law and not reward illegal immigrants with our highest privilege – U.S. citizenship” – Rep. Ken Calvert (from Calvert_Amnesty.pdf)”

Ken Calvert has voted for budget bills that included cuts to Medicaid, despite previously stating a commitment to protecting such benefits for Americans. He has also expressed support for patient-centered health care solutions aimed at increasing access and lowering costs, including protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions and dependents up to age 26. He voted to expand access to contraceptives and advocated for federal funding for local health initiatives, such as for the opioid crisis and COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

““committed to protecting Medicaid benefits for Americans who rely on the program.” (Ken Calvert, Instagram post, March 19)”

Ken Calvert voted for the 2026 appropriations package, which included $1.5 billion for Wildland Fire Management and $3.2 billion for the National Park Service. He introduced the EMBER Act to reduce wildfire risks along the southern border, aiming to improve border security and create a safer wildland interface. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) gave Calvert a 6% score in 2024 and a 7% lifetime score.

““The EMBER Act will improve border security and reduce wildfire risks by restoring the Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative,” said Rep. Calvert. “Restarting this initiative, which was terminated by the Biden administration, is a common-sense approach that will create a safer wildland interface with our southern border.” (Rep. Calvert, press release "Rep. Calvert Introduces the EMBER Act", undated)”

Ken Calvert voted to restrict veterans' reproductive health care nationwide during the markup of the Military, Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriation bill. He also voted to slash Medicaid and has opposed bills such as the Right to Contraception Act, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, and the Women’s Health Protection Act. Calvert believes abortion decisions should be left to the states.

Congressman Ken Calvert, as Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which included funding for national security programs. He supported "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran, stating it would protect America and its allies while providing the Iranian people an opportunity for freedom. Calvert also supports bolstering nuclear defense systems.

““President Trump’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury will protect America and our allies by eliminating the Iranian regime’s ability to wage terror and threaten its enemies. It will also provide the Iranian people with a historic opportunity to shape their own future free from oppression,” said Calvert, chair of the Defense Appropriations Committee, wrote on X Saturday.”

Congressman Ken Calvert supports reevaluating the federal role in education, believing federal policy should balance standards and accountability with student, family, and teacher rights, while preserving local control. He advocates for innovative and effective education policy to improve opportunity. Calvert voted to approve appropriation bills on February 3, 2026, and praised the passage of the FY26 Defense Appropriations Bill on January 22, 2026, both of which included funding for Education.

“I support the reevaluation of the federal role in education and believe that federal policy must always balance the need for standards and accountability with the rights of students, families and teachers while preserving local control of K-12 education. And in a time of ever more tight budgets, where spending restraint is necessary to decrease the federal deficit, innovative and effective education policy must be the guiding principle. (Congressman Ken Calvert, calvert.house.gov/issues/education, undated)”

Ken Calvert voted in favor of considering H.R. 2189, a bill aimed at modernizing federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons. He supported H.Res. 1057 and H.Res. 1042, both related to bringing H.R. 2189 to a vote in 2026.