Julia Brownley — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in California, 2026

Representative Julia Brownley voted against the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, citing concerns about ICE operations marked by lawlessness and excessive force. She advocates for reforming the immigration system to reflect national values, emphasizing keeping families together, securing borders, and promoting economic vitality. Brownley demands the Department of Homeland Security implement guardrails to protect constitutional rights.

“I am infuriated that ICE is using taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill Americans. No one should have to live in fear. I voted NO to granting ICE billions of taxpayer dollars without proper oversight, and now I am demanding that DHS implement common sense guardrails to protect the constitutional rights of all of us. The violence must stop." (Julia Brownley, https://juliabrownley.house.gov/issues/immigration-reform/, February 2026)”

Representative Julia Brownley has actively worked to expand access to affordable and high-quality healthcare, particularly for veterans. She authored the VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act, which passed the House, and reintroduced a legislative package including the Veterans Healthcare Improvement Act to address disparities in veterans' care. Brownley also introduced a joint resolution to overturn a Department of Veterans Affairs abortion rule, stating her belief that every American deserves access to quality healthcare.

““As the Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, one of my primary goals is to identify disparities in care for veterans and, where necessary, introduce, advocate for, and pass legislation that fixes those gaps,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “These bills build on that commitment by ensuring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the tools, resources, and accountability it needs to improve access to high-quality health care, housing, and support services for our veterans. Together, they address critical gaps and move us closer to upholding our solemn promise to serve our veterans as well as they have served our nation.””

Congresswoman Julia Brownley has consistently advocated for climate change legislation and environmental protection, as reflected in her voting record. She has stated her efforts have aimed to confront the climate crisis and protect natural resources. This focus on environmental concerns has been a key part of her service to the community and country.

“Serving our community and our country has been the honor of my lifetime. Every step of this journey has been shaped by the people I represent, by their resilience, their determination, and their belief that government can and should work for the common good. Together, we have expanded access to affordable health care, strengthened support for veterans and their families, protected our natural resources, confronted the climate crisis, and fought for working families. We have helped thousands of constituents navigate the federal government, returned millions in earned benefits, and never lost sight of the simple truth that public service is about showing up for people when they need help the most." — Congresswoman Julia Brownley, juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-announces-decision-not-to-seek-re-election-in-2026/, 2024”

Julia Brownley supports abortion rights, viewing them as essential for women's autonomy over their bodies and health care decisions. She introduced a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act to overturn a VA rule ending abortion services and introduced a bill to ensure abortion and counseling are provided by law. Brownley also voted against bills she stated would censor medical information and stigmatize abortion care.

““This week marks 53 years since the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, a decision that reshaped our nation by affirming women’s autonomy over their bodies and their futures. In 2022, that progress was reversed when the Supreme Court overturned Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson — stripping away a fundamental freedom that generations of women relied upon.” — Congresswoman Julia Brownley, juliabrownley.house.gov (From statement titled "53 Years Since Roe v. Wade")”

Julia Brownley voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement. She emphasized that the bill is essential for military readiness, strengthening the Armed Forces, advancing military capabilities, and supporting servicemembers and their families. Brownley noted the NDAA also raises servicemember pay, improves childcare, invests in technology, and supports allies like Ukraine and Taiwan, while also restoring international relationships. She criticized attempts to politicize the bill with discriminatory provisions.

““The compromise legislation before the House was by no means perfect, but it was a bipartisan and commonsense bill that is essential to ensuring America’s security at home and abroad. I voted yes on raising pay for servicemembers, improving childcare and military housing, investing in scientific and technological advancements, protecting civilian workers from arbitrary workforce reductions, and advancing other measures that strengthen military readiness and provide the congressional oversight necessary to hold the Trump administration accountable. [...] While I believe this bill makes necessary investments to bolster military readiness, I am disappointed that several bipartisan issues, such as expanding access to IVF and protecting collective bargaining rights for civilian personnel, were excluded from final passage. I will continue working across the aisle to advance these vital measures, and I remain committed to pushing back against efforts to weaken the diversity, talent, and unity of purpose that have long defined our military’s spirit and strengthened our nation.” – Congresswoman Julia Brownley, statement on final passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act conference agreement.”

Julia Brownley advocates for robust investment in education, viewing it as essential for community growth and equipping youth for a competitive workforce. She co-sponsored dyslexia legislation as co-chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, emphasizing the need for resources for students with unique learning challenges. Brownley has also urged the protection of Head Start funding and demanded the release of approximately $928 million in K-12 and adult education funding owed to California.

“Students with dyslexia face unique challenges and should have access to the resources and supportive learning environments they need to reach their fullest potential,” said Brownley in the October statement.”

Research pending more substantial sources.