Kristen Mcdonald Rivet — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Michigan, 2026

Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet supports reforming the immigration system, including investments for border security, modernizing the legal process, and treating individuals with dignity. She advocates for a clear path for those who abide by laws and contribute to society, alongside deportation hearings for those committing violent crimes. Rivet also voted against a government funding package, expressing concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and demanding reforms in its standards and procedures.

““We want to make sure that we have an immigration system that is fair, fast and finite. So if you want to come to this country and you want to abide by our laws and contribute to society, there should be a solid path for you. But if you violate our laws, particularly with violent crimes, then there should be a deportation hearing.” — Kristen McDonald Rivet, Michigan Advance, January 28, 2025”

Kristen McDonald Rivet has consistently opposed budget proposals that slash healthcare funding and food assistance, voting against such measures in 2025 and 2026. She advocates for a budget that protects Medicare and Social Security, aims to lower costs for working families, and seeks to provide tax cuts for them rather than for wealthy individuals. She also voted to extend tax credits to reduce health insurance premiums, noting concerns about rising costs on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

““A budget is a reflection of your values. Today, Republicans proposed a budget that slashes funding for health care and food for hungry children to pay for tax cuts for ultra-wealthy campaign donors like Elon Musk. I voted no,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Instead, I want to work on a budget that lowers costs, creates good-paying jobs, protects Medicare and Social Security, and gives tax cuts to working families, not mega millionaires.” (Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet, McDonald Rivet Statement on Republicans’ Extreme Budget Proposal, April 10, 2025)”

Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet voted in May 2025 to repeal the Environmental Protection Agency’s waivers for California’s vehicle emission standards. In January 2026, she introduced the Affordable Food and Energy Act, aiming to reverse cuts to food and energy assistance for low-income households. As Freshman Leadership Representative of the New Democrat Coalition, she supports defending clean energy investments, reforming permitting rules, and investing in biofuels to lower energy bills.

““For far too long, Michigan families have been crushed by rising costs and stagnant wages. I came to Congress ready to fix it, but for the past year, MAGA’s reckless policies have made things much worse — tariffs are making everything more expensive, and the Big Beautiful Bill ripped health care and food away from working families to give tax breaks to the wealthy and well-connected. All the while, working people are hurting and demanding action,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet, Freshman Leadership Representative of the New Democrat Coalition. “Our Affordability Agenda is a set of ready-to-go solutions to take on special interests and bring down costs — ideas like stopping Wall Street from buying up homes and farms, cutting taxes for working parents instead of billionaires, and letting””

Kristen McDonald Rivet voted against H.Res.1014 in 2026. She supports reproductive rights and opposes a national abortion ban, stating that Congress should codify the protections of Roe v. Wade into law to safeguard freedoms. She has also received $9,498 in contributions from Abortion Policy/Pro-Abortion Rights PACs.

“McDonald Rivet told the Advance the best way Congress could protect reproductive rights is by putting the protections of Roe v. Wade into law. (Kristen McDonald Rivet, The Advance, October 13, 2024)”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet opposed the 2026 executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. She articulated that eliminating the department would cause unnecessary and irreversible harm to students, particularly those in special education and underfunded school systems. McDonald Rivet stressed the need to support public schools and improve student reading and math scores, rather than defunding educational institutions, drawing on her background in education.

““Having spent my life working on improving education and helping kids, I’m appalled by these efforts to defund public schools to pay for tax breaks for millionaires,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “We need to do a lot of work to help students improve reading levels and math scores, but eliminating the Department of Education is not the answer. This will cause unnecessary and irreversible harm to students in Michigan, especially those in special education and underfunded school systems.””

Kristen McDonald Rivet has been endorsed by Giffords for the U.S. House of Representatives. Giffords is an organization that advocates for strong gun safety laws and aims to elect representatives who support lifesaving measures to reduce gun violence in communities. This endorsement reflects her alignment with the organization's mission.