Cliff Bentz — Republican Candidate for U.S. House in Oregon, 2026

Cliff Bentz has lobbied the Trump administration for a different approach to deportations, advocating for a focus on individuals living illegally with criminal records. He supports efforts to deport those without legal status who have committed crimes while opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants, believing they should "earn" citizenship. Bentz also credits the previous administration for securing the southern border.

““I disagree with that approach,” said Bentz. (Cliff Bentz, Bend Bulletin, January 27, 2026)”

Cliff Bentz voted against healthcare subsidies and supports reforms to the Affordable Care Act, citing its high costs. He advocates for addressing waste and fraud within the healthcare system to improve efficiency and preserve high-quality care, while acknowledging the need to contain rising costs. Bentz also expressed concerns about Medicaid funding's impact on rural healthcare providers and supported federal funding for rural health initiatives.

““It most assuredly is not the Affordable Care Act—it’s costing way, way, way too much,” Bentz said, adding that costs have “skyrocketed” since the law passed. (KTVZ, January 7, 2026)”

Representative Cliff Bentz has voted against several environmental protection measures, including bills to limit drilling and promote renewable energy, as reflected in his 3% score from the League of Conservation Voters in 2025 and lifetime. He supported delisting the gray wolf, arguing for state agency management due to population growth. Additionally, he introduced legislation to prioritize timber production on Oregon & California lands, advocating for sustained-yield forest management.

Cliff Bentz voted against the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. His voting record consistently aligns with anti-abortion positions. He is recognized by SBA Pro-Life America, an organization whose mission is to end abortion, indicating his alignment with their goals to elect leaders who protect unborn babies.

Cliff Bentz voted in favor of the Made-in-America Defense Act in 2025. While he supports strong U.S. leadership, his voting record shows a mixed stance on specific foreign policy and defense measures. He did not vote for the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, or an amendment aimed at nuclear arms control flexibility, both supported by Foreign Policy for America. However, he did support the Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act.

Cliff Bentz supports school choice programs, including vouchers, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools. He also voted to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which provides approximately $50 million annually to rural school communities. Bentz emphasizes the program's importance for Oregon counties and its role in providing essential funding for education in timber-dependent areas.

“Bentz said he recently met with local officials to discuss the program’s benefits, calling it “huge for Oregon counties.” - Cliff Bentz, KTVZ.com (January 7, 2026)”

Representative Cliff Bentz was identified among House Republicans who voted against gun control measures. He expressed that a mass shooting was 'heartbreaking and tragic,' and in an August 2022 tweet, asked others to join him and Lindsay in praying for the victims and their families. This indicates a general opposition to stricter gun control legislation.

“"Please join Lindsay and I in praying for the victims and their families," Bentz wrote (Oregon Capital Chronicle, August 30, 2022).”