Shontel Brown — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Ohio, 2026

Congresswoman Shontel Brown voted against legislation to fund the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on February 3, 2026, and an earlier bill on January 22, 2026. She stated her refusal to fund agencies that "continually and purposefully violate rights, terrorize communities, and escalate violence." Brown also co-signed a letter with other lawmakers to exempt the healthcare sector from H-1B visa fees, citing worker shortages. Her stance reflects constituent concerns about aggressive immigration actions and civil rights.

““In the last week, I have attended vigils in Cleveland and Cleveland Heights mourning people killed by ICE. I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with constituents who want justice and accountability, not violence and mayhem – and I stand with them today. [...] The current situation with ICE is a disgrace, and I refuse to fund this out-of-control agency for even two more weeks. I voted No because I do not support one penny more for agencies that continually and purposefully violate rights, terrorize communities, and escalate violence,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown, in a press release from http://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/brown-votes-no-funding-ice, February 3, 2026.”

Shontel Brown advocates for universal healthcare through a public option and would vote for Medicare for All. She aims to lower prescription drug costs by enabling Medicare to negotiate prices and introduced The Mental and Physical Health Care Comorbidities Act. Brown voted for extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and opposed Republican spending bills that would cut healthcare funding, stating the need to protect affordable care for her constituents.

““For the past seven weeks I have heard a resounding message from Northeast Ohio: protect our health care. With this vote, I stand shoulder to shoulder with the people I represent. The numbers are staggering: 38,000 people in my district alone will see huge price increases for their insurance coverage. America’s health care crisis is here – and Congress must act. Trump’s greed and Republican cuts are breaking health care in America. There is still time for President Trump and Republicans in Congress to do the right thing, listen to the people, and keep health care affordable.” — Shontel Brown, press release, "Brown Votes Against Republican Spending Bill, Calls for Legislation to Cancel Health Care Cuts," November 12, 2025.”

Shontel Brown advocates for aggressive climate action, supporting net-zero emissions by 2050 and a carbon-free power sector by 2035. She supports the Green New Deal principles and emphasizes environmental justice, aiming to create jobs and reduce electricity costs through clean energy investments. She voted Nay on H.R.4758 (Homeowner Energy Freedom Act) and H.R.4626 (Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act), deeming them contrary to these environmental goals.

“I am proud to be a key part of a new generation of leaders that strongly believes in environmental justice. I support the principles laid out in the Green New Deal and I am committed to aggressive action on climate change with net-zero emissions by 2050 and a carbon-free power sector by 2035. We can achieve those goals, create millions of jobs in every part of America, and bring down the cost of electricity. Clean energy actually costs less for families. - Shontel Brown (Ballotpedia, Shontelbrown.com/priorities/)”

Congresswoman Shontel Brown has demonstrated a position supporting the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion services. In July 2023, she opposed a measure advocating for the preservation of policies that would prevent federal funding for abortions. This stance suggests her commitment to ensuring financial accessibility for reproductive healthcare.

Congresswoman Shontel Brown has expressed opposition to military actions and favored diplomatic approaches in foreign policy, as evidenced by her statements against the Trump administration's military operations in Venezuela and strikes on Iran, citing a desire to avoid costly and endless wars. She also voted against H.R. 4, a Republican rescissions package that included cuts to foreign aid.

“My message to this dangerous President is clear: The American people do not want another costly and endless war. This President promised to end wars, not start new ones. Yet over the last year, we have seen the same pattern: more strikes, in more places, with less explanation and less accountability." — Congresswoman Shontel Brown, statement on Trump Strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026”

Representative Shontel Brown supports fully funding public schools, emphasizing that public education should prepare students for economic participation and civic leadership without lifelong debt. She voted against H.R. 4 in 2026, a rescissions package that included cuts to federal investments. Brown also led a letter urging the restoration of terminated federal grants benefiting low-income students.

“I support fully funding public schools, enforcing transparency and accountability in education spending, and protecting public education from policies that divert public dollars without delivering measurable outcomes. Education policy must be tied to workforce readiness, economic capacity, and national competitiveness. — Shontel Brown, Ballotpedia (Submitted Biography)”

Shontel Brown supports policies aimed at reducing gun violence, including mandating universal background checks for all gun sales and implementing waiting periods for gun purchases. She advocates for banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Additionally, she believes in holding gun manufacturers accountable and restricting firearm sales to individuals convicted of hate crimes or domestic violence.

“In Congress, I will fight to require universal background checks for gun sales, mandate waiting periods for gun purchases, and ban assault weapons that have no place on American streets. In addition, I will work to hold gun manufacturers accountable for the harm their products cause and to ban high-capacity magazines that are often used in mass shootings. — Shontel Brown, Ballotpedia.org”