Jim Himes — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Connecticut, 2026

Jim Himes advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, co-sponsoring the House version of a 2013 Senate bill that included asylum improvements, increased border security funding, and a pathway to citizenship. He has also co-sponsored and voted for the American Dream and Promise Act to create a path to citizenship for Dreamers. Himes voted against Department of Homeland Security funding bills in 2026, including for ICE, citing a need for accountability and reform regarding the agency's actions.

“Yeah, Mike, we and I was very proud to vote no on additional resources for ICE. And let's spend 30 seconds on this, because everybody is watching the videos coming out of Minneapolis, right? You've got ICE agents, probably not very well trained, kitted out as though they were going after ISIS in Syria or al Qaeda in Fallujah. That's the load out that they are carrying. And what are they doing? They're trying to find, you know, nannies who are doing child care. They're trying to pull people out of restaurants and, yeah, some tiny percentage of the undocumented are, in fact, gang members and dangerous, right? Some tiny percentage. But these guys are running through American cities shooting women in the head. The kill shot on that woman, by the way, was the third shot, when the [...] - Jim Himes, NBC Connecticut, January 25, 2026.”

Jim Himes voted for a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits on January 9, 2026, aiming to combat rising healthcare costs and ensure access to critical medical care for constituents. He also voted against a Republican funding bill in November 2025 because it failed to extend these tax credits, citing the need to lower healthcare costs for Connecticut families. Himes supports expanding paid medical leave, decreasing prescription drug costs, capping insulin prices, and expanding health insurance subsidies.

““Despite overwhelming opposition from Republican leadership, House Democrats passed a bill to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that would prevent skyrocketing health care costs for millions of Americans. Barely a day goes by that I don’t hear from constituents worried about health care, and it is unfathomable to me that any of my colleagues would choose to ignore these stories.” — Congressman Jim Himes, Statement regarding his vote for a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits, January 9, 2026.”

Jim Himes voted for the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, a bill intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 2005 levels by 2030 through grants, rebates, and tax credits for green-living and transportation. He also advocates for a carbon fee to incentivize renewable energy technologies, improve public health, and create jobs, co-sponsoring the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act to shift pollution costs to emitters.

Jim Himes consistently supports reproductive freedom, voting for legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Access to Birth Control Act, and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act to protect access to abortion and contraception. He also voted against bills like H.R.26, H.R.6918, and H.R.8070, which would restrict abortion services or fund anti-abortion centers. Himes asserts that women should be empowered to make their own decisions regarding reproductive health without government intrusion.

“I have been a longtime supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would prohibit medically unnecessary requirements or restrictions on abortion services, enshrining protection to abortion access into federal law. This Congress I also voted for the Access to Birth Control Act, which would guarantee women can continue using contraception if that precedent is overturned by the Supreme Court, and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, which would protect women’s right to travel across state lines for abortion services. At heart, I believe that every woman must be empowered to make her own decisions regarding her reproductive health without government intrusion and deserves access to the best medical care available. - Jim Himes, himes.house.gov, October 2024”

Jim Himes supports a War Powers Resolution to cease hostilities with Iran until Congress provides authorization, citing that military action in the region often escalates unpredictably and the Constitution demands congressional approval for war. He voted no on additional resources for ICE, criticizing their tactics and questioning the U.S. role as the world's policeman. He also helped add a measure to the National Defense Authorization Act supporting NATO.

“Everything I have heard from the Administration before and after these strikes on Iran confirms this is a war of choice with no strategic endgame. As I expressed to Secretary Rubio when he briefed the Gang of Eight, military action in this region almost never ends well for the United States, and conflict with Iran can easily spiral and escalate in ways we cannot anticipate. It does not appear that Donald Trump has learned the lessons of history. The President’s own statement acknowledges this is war, and the Constitution requires the Administration to come to Congress for authorization, something it has not done. Next week, the House will vote on a war powers resolution, and I will support that resolution. In the meantime, I will be praying for the safety of our servicemembers and all civilians who are in harm’s way." - Jim Himes, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member, February 28, 2026”

Jim Himes supports increased funding for education, particularly early childhood programs like Head Start, and has advocated for closing the opportunity gap in Connecticut. He emphasizes the importance of education for economic competitiveness. Himes has fought for the Total Learning Act and the Supporting Early Learning Act, working to ensure early childhood education programs reach as many children as possible. He also supports federal grants for special education and career-connected learning.

““The fact that we as a nation are almost dead last in investing in our youngest children amongst industrialized countries should sound alarms, inasmuch as that is a threat to our global competitiveness” — CHAIRMAN JIM HIMES, House Select Committee on Economic Disparity & Fairness in Growth (2022).”

Jim Himes voted against H.Res. 1042 in 2026, which aimed to modernize federal firearms laws. He advocates for gun violence prevention measures, including background checks and assault weapons bans, believing these steps are necessary responses to tragedies while being consistent with Second Amendment rights. He supported the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, and introduced the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act to address domestic violence related to firearms.

“I firmly believe that gun violence prevention measures, consistent with Second Amendment rights, are necessary responses to these tragedies. - Jim Himes, himes.house.gov/gun-violence-prevention”