Maxine Waters — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in California, 2026

Congresswoman Maxine Waters has advocated for fair treatment and legal pathways for immigrants. She opposed the Trump administration's revocation of humanitarian parole, the ending of DACA, and a ban on immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries, citing concern for vulnerable populations. Waters has also called for border security and comprehensive immigration reform, while affirming the importance of due process for immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship and supporting healthcare for all.

“My message to Donald Trump is you are a cruel human being and that you are using the poorest people in the land, the most vulnerable people in the land, to promote your politics. You are wrong. We know what this is all about. We have people who are immigrants here who are trying to seek a better living, who come from places where they have experienced this kind of thing that he’s doing here today. People who work every day. People who are paying taxes, who are raising their families, who are supporting education. They should not be treated this way. They should be given an opportunity to tell their stories, whom they are and why they are here and ask the United States to please do what the Constitution allows us to do and that is — give them consideration for having citizenship here." (Rep. Maxine Waters, June 8 video at the Metropolitan Detention Center, as quoted by PolitiFact)”

Maxine Waters voted against H.R. 6703, the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act," in 2025. She condemned proposed budget cuts of $40 billion from the Department of Health and Human Services, stating such reductions would dismantle life-saving programs and impede the prevention of future pandemics. Waters articulated that Democrats advocate for healthcare access for everyone, aiming to save lives and ensure government assistance for those in need of care.

“Democrats are demanding health care for everybody. We want to save lives. We want to make sure that health care is available to those who would die, but having the help of their government. — Maxine Waters, CBS Austin”

Representative Maxine Waters, among other lawmakers, expressed disappointment regarding a company's decision to withdraw from climate goals. She stated that 'climate risk is financial risk,' underscoring the destabilizing effects of climate change on the economy. This position acknowledges the financial sector's crucial role in limiting global temperature rise and highlights potential risks for fossil fuel financiers.

““It bears repeating that climate risk is financial risk, a fact acknowledged by investors, asset managers, businesses, and regulators, including many of your organizations,” wrote Rep. Maxine Waters and other lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee Democrats news site.”

Maxine Waters has consistently supported abortion and reproductive rights, as evidenced by her votes against measures like H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and H.R.6918, which would funnel funding to anti-abortion centers. She voted in favor of the Right to Contraception Act and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. Waters also denounced the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stating it deprives individuals of the basic human right to choose and impacts economic security.

“Today is a sad and enraging day in our country. The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, which has been the law of the land for decades and provided women, non-binary, and transgender individuals the basic human right to choose what happens to their bodies. — Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, June 25, 2022”

Maxine Waters voted to support the Pressure Regulatory Organizations To End Chinese Threats to (PROTECT) Taiwan Act and introduced the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act. She voted to direct the removal of unauthorized U.S. Armed Forces from Venezuela, criticizing the Trump Administration's unauthorized strike and asserting the President must not bypass Congress. Waters also supported veterans through votes on two related acts in February 2026.

“I’ve said time and time again, Donald Trump is not a king. He does not get to sidestep Congress, abuse his authorities, and force American families to foot the bill. I, alongside my Democratic colleagues, will continue using every tool available to hold this Administration accountable, protect the American people from Trump’s lawlessness, and drive down costs.” (Congresswoman Maxine Waters, statement after Supreme Court ruling, February 20, 2026)”

Maxine Waters voted against the Department of Education Appropriations Act of 2026 (HR7148). Conversely, she supported the Department of Education's proposals to protect students from predatory for-profit institutions, including eliminating mandatory arbitration and class action ban clauses. She also advocated for immediate debt relief for students impacted by deceptive and predatory practices, indicating a focus on student welfare.

Maxine Waters voted against H.Res. 1042 in 2026, a resolution that proposed modernizing federal firearms laws. She also voted "Yea" on the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, which aimed to ban firearm transfers between private parties without a licensed gun dealer conducting a background check. She has historically supported gun control measures.