Ayanna Pressley — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Massachusetts, 2026

Ayanna Pressley voted against a 2026 Department of Homeland Security funding bill due to insufficient accountability for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. She also co-reintroduced the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act to end deportations and provide protections for refugees. Pressley states that deportations traumatize children, separate families, and harm dedicated community members who contribute to the economy and culture. She also advocates for abolishing ICE and ending qualified immunity for federal officers.

““Trump’s campaign of terror is traumatizing children, ripping families apart, and harming dedicated community members who have called our country home for years—and that includes Southeast Asian Americans who have planted roots, grown families, and contributed significantly to our communities,” said Rep. Pressley. “This reckless abuse of power must be reigned in, and that means ending deportations and providing critical protections for Southeast Asian American refugees—many of whom reside in the Massachusetts 7th and strengthen our economy, schools, culture, and more.” (Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Press Release on Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act, February 20, 2026)”

Ayanna Pressley champions healthcare as a fundamental human right, advocating for policies that expand access and affordability. She voted to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which she stated are crucial for protecting families from increased financial strain. Additionally, she co-introduced a bill to support individuals experiencing medical hair loss and voted against a DHS funding bill that included un-accountable ICE funding.

““Today the House took an important step toward protecting the health, well-being, and financial stability of families in the Massachusetts 7th and across the country. This is a testament to what is possible when we organize and refuse to be complicit in Trump and Republicans’ attacks on the fundamental right to affordable healthcare,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley in a statement. (Rep. Ayanna Pressley, pressley.house.gov, January 8, 2026)”

Ayanna Pressley supports a Green New Deal, advocating for a justice-centered approach to climate change. She believes it is crucial to fundamentally transform political and economic systems to prioritize planetary preservation, mitigate climate impacts, and help communities adapt. This approach recognizes how entrenched disparities contribute to disproportionate climate risks for environmental justice communities.

“The climate crisis is here and our environmental justice communities are already, disproportionately, on the frontlines. We must take a comprehensive, justice-centered approach to addressing the challenges posed by climate change – one that recognizes the role entrenched disparities play in creating disproportionate climate risk, outcomes, and resilience. Ayanna knows it’s time for a Green New Deal, developed in partnership with communities most impacted, to fundamentally transform our political and economic systems, prioritize the preservation of our planet, mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, and help our communities adapt, prepare, and build a more resilient future." — Ayanna Pressley, from her official campaign website (ayannapressley.com/issues/educational/)”

Representative Ayanna Pressley strongly supports abortion rights, advocating for abortion care as an essential human right and healthcare. She co-led the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R.3755), which passed twice in the House, and supported the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (H.R.8297) to protect access to care. She maintains that bodily autonomy must be codified in law, ensuring access to care is not dependent on zip code or background.

““Let’s give ourselves a moment to conceive of a truly just America,” Pressley said. “In a truly just America, bodily autonomy as a right is codified in law and your access to care is not dependent on your zip code, your immigration status, your income or your background. Let me make it plain, a just America is possible." (Ayanna Pressley, Penn Capital-Star, July 31, 2024)”

Ayanna Pressley advocates for a foreign policy that prioritizes peace, human rights, and diplomacy, emphasizing reduced military spending in favor of humanitarian aid and domestic investment. She voted Yes on H.R. 8035 to provide aid to Ukraine, stating an obligation to stop Russia's invasion. Conversely, she voted No on H.R. 8034, which would send funding and offensive weapons to the Israeli military, citing concerns over human rights violations and advocating for a lasting ceasefire.

“It is unconscionable that Congress would consider sending more offensive weapons and funding to the Israeli military, which for months has operated with callous disregard for human life in Gaza and perpetrated significant human rights violations. Over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, millions of civilians in Gaza are on the brink of famine, and over 100 hostages are still held captive by Hamas. While I support Israel’s right to defend itself—especially following the horrific October 7th attack and I grieve deeply for those impacted—we cannot bomb our way to peace and become complicit as the Netaynahu government continues to massacre the Palestinian people. I voted NO on H.R. 8034 and continue to call for the United States to facilitate a lasting, bilateral ceasefire.” (Ayanna Pressley, Statement on Israel and Ukraine Foreign Aid Votes, April 20, 2024).”

Ayanna Pressley supports education justice, including competitive wages and safe working conditions for public school teachers, collaborating with teachers’ unions. She has introduced legislation to address discrimination and criminalization affecting students, particularly Black girls. Additionally, she has secured resources for community colleges to expand higher education access and worked to achieve student debt cancellation.

“Well, thanks Irene, for that introduction. Good afternoon to my AFT and AAUP family. I really do mean that. We are family because we certainly understand that the destiny of the individual, the family, and the community—the health of those three—are inextricably linked. I really do believe that we are a family." – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Remarks on the Launch of the New Deal for Higher Education Campaign, AAUP Academe Magazine, Spring 2021”

Representative Ayanna Pressley advocates for stricter gun control measures, including universal background checks, red-flag laws, and a ban on assault weapons. She also supports raising the federal age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21. Pressley emphasizes the need for urgent legislative action to address gun violence and is endorsed by Giffords, a gun violence prevention organization.

““I'm grateful that that's where we finally are. I'm devastated that it's taken this much loss for us to move. And as far as the GOP is concerned, I mean, it just seems that Senate Republicans have really contempt for the American people. ... It's time for my colleagues across the aisle to grow a spine, stand up to this gun lobby and join us in making these long overdue changes.” — Rep. Ayanna Pressley, WGBH, June 1, 2022”