Hillary Scholten — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Michigan, 2026

Hillary Scholten voted against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, citing concerns about federal enforcement agents operating outside the rule of law while affirming the need for critical DHS functions. She advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, co-sponsoring the Dignity Act of 2025, which aims to secure borders, establish in-country asylum application centers, and create additional legal pathways for job-seekers. Scholten believes the current system is deeply broken and needs congressional action to be just, fair, efficient, and humane.

“Our immigration system is deeply broken. As an attorney who has worked on immigration issues, both at the nation’s top law enforcement agency and at a community legal aid organization, helping migrants in West Michigan, I know this system. I’ve seen firsthand what patchwork and reactionary immigration policies do to families and communities, and I remain committed to creating a system that is both fair and humane, balancing humanitarian concerns with law enforcement.” — Rep. Hillary Scholten, Press Release "Reps. Scholten, Salazar, and Escobar Reintroduce Historic Bipartisan Immigration Legislation"”

Hillary Scholten supports expanding the Affordable Care Act and capping the cost of prescription drugs and insulin. She advocates for policies preventing insurance companies from raising rates due to illness, denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, or reducing coverage. As a founder of the Lowering Costs Caucus, she supports legislation to make ACA tax credits more generous, aiming to lower healthcare costs for American families. She also backs paid family and medical leave and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

““From groceries to childcare to energy and healthcare, Americans are just paying too much. It doesn't have to be this way,” said Rep. Scholten. “There are easy policy solutions that will help us lower costs, if we're willing to put American families first. That's what the Lowering Cost Caucus is all about. I'm so proud of the work this caucus has done so far this year, and there's even more to come in 2026!””

Hillary Scholten voted against the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and the Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act. She supports funding for water resource projects, citing their importance for regional economies and culture, and criticizes slow implementation of related policies. Scholten also advocates for protecting drinking water from chemicals like PFAS and investing in a new energy economy through tax credits for renewable energy innovations, aiming to create jobs and reduce energy costs.

“Hillary Scholten, speaking on YouTube: "At a time when the affordability crisis is affecting every corner of our country and our communities are navigating the threats of climate change, it is incumbent on Congress to prioritize keeping water resource projects affordable and resilient."”

Hillary Scholten advocates for access to safe, affordable, and accessible abortion care, emphasizing that healthcare decisions should be made by women without government interference, based on their faith, doctor's advice, and loved ones. She opposes legislation that obstructs women's healthcare choices, such as H. Con. Res. 3, and condemns violence against all reproductive healthcare facilities. Scholten has been endorsed by Reproductive Freedom for All and vows to protect a woman’s right to choose.

““Every woman deserves access to reproductive care so she can make the best health care decisions for her based on her own faith, her own doctor’s advice, and her own loved ones, without interference from the government or politicians. This is what Roe v. Wade affirmed back in 1973. Tragically, today, nearly four years after the Supreme Court ripped away the right to abortion, twenty-two states have implemented full or partial abortion bans. Women across the country have bled to death, become infertile or septic, and been forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term because they couldn’t get abortion care or help with pregnancy [...] they couldn’t get abortion care or help with pregnancy complications due to these bans. Our hearts break for the women we’ve lost and the women who can’t get care, but they remind us why we’re in this fight. We will not stop working until every woman everywhere has access to safe, affordable, and accessible abortion care.” — Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Democratic Women’s Caucus statement, January 22, 2026.”

Representative Hillary Scholten voted for the $900.6 billion US military budget under the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, supporting increased defense spending. She also introduced the Small Business Defense Contract Protection Act to strengthen national security. However, she voted against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, expressing concerns about federal enforcement agents operating outside the rule of law, while emphasizing national security and border safety.

““Enough is enough. Our job here in Congress is to provide a check on the other branches of government and on the agencies under them. That means funding the critical functions of DHS but also demanding accountability when enforcement actions put innocent lives at risk and undermine trust in law enforcement. While this funding bill passed, it did not pass with my vote, nor did it pass with the support of West Michiganders, who want to see secure borders and enforcement that lives up to the rule of law.” — Rep. Hillary Scholten, Statement on Voting No on Department of Homeland Security Funding”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Hillary Scholten supports gun safety reforms such as universal background checks, safe gun storage laws, and red flag laws. She has been recognized by Moms Demand Action as a Gun Sense Candidate. Scholten emphasizes these measures are necessary to address gun violence and ensure the safety of children in schools, stating she will not accept the current prevalence of active shooter drills.

“As a mother of two young boys, I won’t accept this new normal of active shooter drills in our schools and senseless gun violence in our country. I’m proud to have been recognized by Moms Demand Action as a Gun Sense Candidate for my commitment to common-sense gun safety reforms like universal background checks, safe gun storage laws, and red flag laws. (Hillary Scholten, hillaryscholten.com/priorities/)”