Derek Schmidt — Republican Candidate for U.S. House in Kansas, 2026

Derek Schmidt introduced H.R. 7664, the State Partnerships to Enhance Removal of Criminal Aliens Act, aimed at strengthening state and federal cooperation for the swift deportation of illegal aliens who commit crimes. He emphasized public safety and empowering state prosecutors to obtain federal removal orders. Schmidt also applauded the administration's support for states' enforcement of immigration laws and called for increased transparency in ICE operations.

“"This bill focuses on what most Kansans agree should be the top priority for immigration enforcement – swift deportation of illegal aliens who also commit crimes while present in the United States," Schmidt said. "Public safety is best served when there is common sense cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement authorities." (Derek Schmidt, schmidt.house.gov, February 26, 2026)”

Representative Derek Schmidt has secured funding for healthcare in Kansas communities. He also cosponsored the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act, aiming to streamline licensing processes for healthcare providers to work across state lines. Additionally, he supported H.R. 1, which increased payments to rural hospitals and other healthcare providers in states that did not expand Medicaid.

“We strengthened federal safety net programs by requiring healthy adults to work to receive public benefits and enforcing the prohibition on illegal aliens receiving public benefits. We also increased payments to rural hospitals and other healthcare providers in states like Kansas that have declined to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. - Derek Schmidt, upon passage of H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, January 2026.”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Derek Schmidt opposes abortion rights and supported a constitutional amendment in Kansas to restrict them, aiming to keep policy decisions with the legislature rather than courts, reflecting the will of the people. He urged the Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider its 2019 ruling establishing a state constitutional right to abortion. Additionally, Schmidt advocated for maintaining the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer-funded abortions, in the federal budget. He clarified that ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage treatments should not be considered abortion under Kansas law.

“After today, any plaintiff who can articulate a supposed ‘natural right’ unspecified by our state Constitution but somehow divined by a thin majority of four Justices can defeat the democratic process with no recourse for the will of the people except by constitutional amendment,” Schmidt said following the the 2019 ruling. “Over time, the result will inevitably be more public policy debates settled in Kansas courtrooms rather than the Statehouse, shaped principally by the arguments of lawyers rather than the broader will of the people.”

Congressman Derek Schmidt voted in favor of legislation to fund the Department of Defense on February 3, 2026. He also supported the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which included several priorities important to Kansas. Schmidt co-authored an amendment within the FY2026 NDAA to strengthen access to medical care for veterans.

Derek Schmidt supported the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2026 (HR7148). This vote indicates his support for federal funding for education and related agencies. He also holds a 100% score for "Educational Freedom" from TPAction, though the specific criteria for this score are not provided in the research.

Research pending more substantial sources.