Shri Thanedar — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Michigan, 2026

Congressman Shri Thanedar introduced the Abolish ICE Act in 2026 to dismantle U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing concerns about aggressive enforcement and violence. He also introduced legislation in 2025 to end qualified immunity for ICE officials. Thanedar supports expanding legal immigration through the PHD First Act for doctoral degree holders and the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023 to increase employment-based visas. He also cosponsors the U.S. Citizenship Act for a path to citizenship and backs the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act to improve detention conditions.

“Since ICE’s establishment in 2003, they’ve prioritized aggressive enforcement and violence rather than due process. Americans are being terrorized. Last year, I introduced legislation to end qualified immunity for ICE agents, ensuring they are held accountable when they break the law. But the killing of Renee Nicole Good proved that ICE is out of control and beyond reform. We must fundamentally change the way we approach immigration: it’s time to abolish ICE.” — Shri Thanedar, in a press release "Congressman Shri Thanedar Introduces the Abolish ICE Act" on thanedar.house.gov, January 15, 2026.”

Shri Thanedar voted against federal budget cuts, citing concerns that they would cause 17 million people to lose healthcare access and deeply harm his district. He advocates for universal healthcare as a fundamental human right, co-sponsoring the Medicare for All Act to establish a national health insurance program. Thanedar also supports the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, and legislation addressing climate change health impacts and cancer screenings.

“"This Big Ugly Bill will cause 17 million people to lose access to healthcare, and take food off the table for 2 million more, all to give billionaires yet another tax break," said Congressman Thanedar. "My district has the fourth highest SNAP participation rate in the country at 29%, and 47% of our district relies on Medicaid to get the healthcare they need to survive. My decision to vote no on this bill was the easiest I’ve had as an elected official, as these cuts will deeply harm every single person in my congressional district." (Congressman Shri Thanedar, Press Release)”

Congressman Shri Thanedar strongly advocates for environmental protection and climate justice, demonstrated by his co-sponsorship of the Green New Deal, the Energy Resilient Communities Act, and the Environmental Justice For All Act. He supports robust legislation to safeguard Michigan's waterways, including the Great Lakes. His commitment to environmental policy, stemming from his scientific background, aims to achieve greenhouse gas reductions and ensure equitable access to essential services.

“As a scientist and chemist, I know firsthand how important it is to protect our environment. I am a proud champion of the Green New Deal Pledge." - Shri Thanedar, shriforcongress.com”

Shri Thanedar supports women's right to make medical decisions, including abortion, considering it healthcare that needs protection from government intervention. He co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023 to safeguard abortion access and voted against measures like the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, and amendments restricting servicemembers' access to abortion. He also supported government funding legislation that blocked attempts to limit reproductive health care.

“I believe that a women’s medical decisions should be made between them and their doctor, including abortion. Abortion care is healthcare and needs to be protected by the State of Michigan and the US Government. We must codify Roe v. Wade, even if we have to end the filibuster to do so. Being pro-choice means that I support women’s right to make decisions about their own bodies, without government intervention. Without access to safe and legal medical abortion, many people will turn to other options, that might cost them their lives.”

Shri Thanedar supports a balanced and thoughtful approach to defense and foreign policy, emphasizing military might, diplomatic finesse, and social justice. He advocates for Israel's right to exist, supporting a two-state solution and backing the U.S.-Israel Partnership and Abraham Accords Enhancement Act of 2023. He also cosponsored the People Over Pentagon Act of 2023, aiming to reduce the Department of Defense budget by $100 billion to redirect funds to human needs, climate, and diplomacy. Additionally, he introduced the Equitable Contracting and Small Business Advancement Act.

“As your next congressperson, I pledge to be a supportive voice for Israel in Washington, and will defend Israel’s right to exist and to thrive in the years and generations to come. That means supporting Israel both economically and militarily, so they are able to defend themselves in a dangerous part of the world; it means defending Israel diplomatically and playing an active role in ongoing efforts to forge a peace agreement centered on a two-state solution; and it means calling out not just antisemitism at home and abroad, but also those policies that we believe are harmful to [...] -- Shri Thanedar, Ballotpedia”

Congressman Shri Thanedar advocates for comprehensive education reform, including making public universities free for low-income students by co-sponsoring the College for All Act. He co-sponsored the American Teacher Act to raise teacher salaries and the Charter Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency Act to enhance charter school accountability, aiming to transition for-profit charters to non-profit status. He also introduced the Stopping Abusive Student Loan Collection Practices in Bankruptcy Act to aid debtors with student loan discharge.

“Absolutely. One is we need to hold high standards of accountability for charter schools just like we would hold for public schools. We also must make sure that no one profits from our public school dollars. So, I would like to gradually transition the for-profit charter schools to not-for-profit schools. That’s one of the things that I would do. I am a proponent of choice. I have no problem with having choice for parents on where they send their children and what kind of education they get. But we need to ensure that our school dollars are not going into the pockets of corporations as profits." (Shri Thanedar, bridgemi.com interview with Ed Moore)”

Congressman Shri Thanedar advocates for comprehensive legislative action to prevent gun violence and promote responsible gun ownership. He co-sponsored the Assault Weapons Ban, the Keep Americans Safe Act to limit high-capacity magazines, and the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2023. He also supports the COOL OFF Act for a three-day waiting period for handgun transfers and Ethan's Law Act for safe firearm storage. Thanedar also supports red flag laws, seeing them as a tool for law enforcement to intervene.