Laura Friedman — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in California, 2026

Congresswoman Laura Friedman advocates for significant reforms to ICE and DHS, citing concerns over accountability, federal agent conduct, and constitutional violations following fatalities during immigration enforcement operations. She has stated she will not vote for ICE or DHS funding until specific conditions are met, including the protection of constitutional rights and cessation of certain operations. Friedman supports legislation such as the No Masks for ICE Act and the Bivens Act to increase transparency and accountability for federal officials.

““Two Americans are dead, and federal agents are violating the Constitution, detaining Americans, and making our communities less safe without any accountability,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30), January 28, 2026.”

Laura Friedman opposed Republican-backed budget cuts to healthcare in 2025 and supported the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies in 2026, criticizing the Senate for blocking the bill. She advocates for a single-payer system such as Medicare for All, which includes comprehensive coverage for dental, vision, mental health, and in-home care, believing healthcare is an essential service. Friedman also supports investing in preventative care.

“As both a former nursing assistant and a Case Manager for adults with disabilities, I have worked many long nights on hospital floors. I’ve watched our broken healthcare system reduce human beings to numbers on a balance sheet in the most vulnerable moments of their entire lives. We need to move to a single-payer system where patients and providers come first, not shareholders. I strongly support Medicare for All, including coverage for dental, hearing, vision, mental health, and in-home care. Our seniors deserve to retire in dignity, and in the company of the people they love. Lastly, I support a national mobilization to combat chronic disease by investing in preventative care and banning toxic chemicals from our food. (Laura Friedman, Ballotpedia, 2026)”

Laura Friedman advocates for increasing investments in 100% clean renewable energy, decarbonizing the economy, and expanding mass transit options. She has championed policies to protect Monarch butterflies, support wildlife crossings, and promote residential rooftop solar and reduced plastic pollution. Friedman cites climate, pollution, and environmental justice as primary motivations for her work, driven by concerns for future generations. She has been endorsed by groups such as the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and Environment America Action Fund.

““Climate, pollution, and environmental justice issues are my primary motivations for running for Congress. As the mother of a young child, I worry every day about the world that she is inheriting – how our climate crisis will affect her generation and about whether she will even grow up on a habitable planet.” – LCVAF Questionnaire”

Laura Friedman is a dedicated supporter of reproductive freedom, as evidenced by her A+ grade on Reproductive Freedom For All's 2024 California Legislative Scorecard and endorsement from EMILYs List. She co-introduced the "Restoring Essential Health Care Act" to reinstate Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood, citing its role in providing essential healthcare services. Friedman also advocates for codifying abortion rights, affirming access for life-threatening complications, allowing abortion pills by mail, and protecting individuals who cross state lines for care.

“Planned Parenthood is a cornerstone of healthcare in communities all across our nation and it’s under direct attack. This bill will reverse a cruel, politically motivated ban on Medicaid payments that’s jeopardizing access to not just reproductive healthcare, but cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and more,” said Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30). “We’re fighting to ensure people can continue getting the essential care they count on, no matter who they are or where they live.”

Laura Friedman voted against an amendment on July 18, 2025, during consideration of the fiscal 2026 defense appropriations bill (H.R. 4016). This amendment, introduced by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, aimed to eliminate $118 million designated for overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid programs. Her vote against the amendment demonstrates a position in favor of maintaining these foreign aid initiatives.

Laura Friedman supports public education, evident by her endorsement from Education Votes for her commitment to students, public schools, and families. She supported AB1604 to increase charter school accountability and AB1955, which prohibits forcibly outing LGBTQ+ students and mandates training resources. Additionally, she supported AB1505, giving local districts more power to evaluate charter applications based on fiscal impact, which passed into law.

Laura Friedman voted against H.Res. 1042 and H.Res. 1057 in 2026, which were resolutions concerning the modernization of federal firearms laws. She received an endorsement from the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, an organization that advocates for gun safety measures. This indicates her alignment with efforts to implement regulations regarding firearms.