Jared Golden — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Maine, 2026

Representative Jared Golden voted for a Fiscal Year 2026 funding package that included funding for ICE, citing the need to avoid a government shutdown and maintain public safety. He also supported the SAVE Act to uphold the exclusive voting rights of U.S. citizens. Golden emphasizes that federal law enforcement must prioritize public safety, respect due process, and not target immigrants with legal status, while also stating that people must not obstruct law enforcement activities.

“Federal law enforcement agencies have the right and responsibility to enforce federal laws, including immigration laws, and a targeted law enforcement operation focused on individuals who have engaged in criminal activity serves the public interest. It’s also true that for long-term stability and social cohesion, law enforcement requires public trust. DHS should prioritize its enforcement actions on public safety and must themselves comply with federal laws. Immigrants with legal status should not be targeted, court authorities should be obeyed and due process must be followed.” (Jared Golden, statement on increased ICE operations in Maine, golden.house.gov, January 2026)”

Congressman Jared Golden voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations, which included funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, to avoid a government shutdown. He also voted for H.R. 1834 to renew enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) Premium Tax Credits through 2028, aiming to lower healthcare costs and prevent premium spikes for Mainers. Additionally, he co-sponsored the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act to assess and improve mental health services for veterans.

““Mainers work hard but despite all their efforts, the cost of living keeps going up. The last thing they need is for their health insurance premiums to double because politicians in D.C. can’t get their act together,” Golden said. “I have worked for months with a group of my Republican colleagues to build the bipartisan coalition needed to extend these credits, and today that work paid off. GOP leaders never should have let these credits expire, but this vote builds a strong foundation for a deal in the Senate to reduce health care costs for millions of Americans.” (Jared Golden, press release on renewing ACA tax credits, http://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-lower-health-care-costs-by-renewing-aca-tax-credits)”

Jared Golden has identified climate change as a significant environmental and national security challenge, emphasizing its economic impact on Maine's industries. He voted to ban oil and gas drilling off Maine’s coast and introduced legislation for the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He also co-sponsored the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, which aims to overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act review process and include new litigation limits.

“Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time. The National Climate Assessment found that if current trends continue, by 2100 climate change will cost our economy $500 billion each year. Right here in Maine, climate change imperils our fishing, forestry, and tourism industries. Climate change also poses a serious national security threat. The Department of Defense has told us that climate change will put even greater stress on countries with limited resources, severely increasing the risk of conflicts across the globe. Many of our nation’s military bases are also at risk from rising sea levels and more severe weather patterns. — Congressman Jared Golden, House Natural Resources Committee hearing, February 10, 2026”

Jared Golden supports reproductive healthcare and has worked to codify abortion rights, believing the decision to start a family is a private matter between women and their doctors. He is an original cosponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 and the Right to Contraception Act. He voted against H.R. 21 and in favor of prohibiting restrictions on out-of-state travel for abortions, stating that control over one's body is an essential part of freedom.

““Every American deserves the freedom to choose how and when to start a family, but that right was stolen from countless women when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,” Golden said. “Roe was a landmark decision with a strong constitutional basis that afforded women the basic right to autonomy over their own bodies. The loss of reproductive freedom put American lives at risk, and I will keep working to restore these rights to every woman in the United States.” (Congressman Jared Golden, Statement on the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade)”

Jared Golden voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), citing support for servicemembers, American shipbuilding, and national security. He noted the bill increases troop pay, funds new construction for barracks and family housing, and includes funding for DDG-51 destroyers built by Bath Iron Works.

““It’s heartening to see Congress support not only our troops, but American shipbuilding and the critical role it plays in our national security,” Golden said. “Our service members deserve salaries that let them keep up with the cost of living. And when Maine shipbuilders are awarded work, they can ensure the Navy gets more of the best ships on the planet. Now that the House has passed this critical legislation, I hope the Senate moves quickly and sends it to the president.” (Jared Golden, from his office's press release)”

Jared Golden voted to expand Pell Grants and co-sponsored the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which aims to improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for public service professionals. He also voted for Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations that maintained federal funding levels for education programs. Golden seeks to make higher education and trade careers more affordable, believing all Maine kids deserve a high-quality education to prepare them for future jobs and strengthen local economies.

“No matter where in the state they live or how much money their family makes, Maine kids deserve a high-quality education. - Jared Golden, http://golden.house.gov/issues/education”

Jared Golden reversed his position after the Lewiston shootings, now calling for a ban on assault rifles and restricting their possession to reduce fatalities. He previously voted against an assault-style weapons ban in 2022 and enhanced background checks in 2021, but supported the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Golden also advocates for state-level permitting systems requiring additional security checks for assault-style weapons, seeking to balance individual rights with public security.

“As you likely know, I have previously opposed calls to ban AR-15s or similar rifles. I am now joining the call to ban their sale and restrict the possession of them. It is not easy to admit being wrong. But I was. This represents a big policy shift for me and so I believe I owe you a full account of how this unfolded.” - Jared Golden, jaredgolden.substack.com, October 2023”