Scott Desjarlais — Republican Candidate for U.S. House in Tennessee, 2026

Scott Desjarlais supports strong border security, advocating for a physical wall along the Mexican border, increased agents and technology, and the deportation of criminal aliens. He states that immigration policy should prioritize national security and the economic interests of U.S. citizens, arguing that illegal immigration burdens taxpayers and compromises security. He opposed an "Amnesty Bill" for failing to address border security and supported President Trump's immigration plan. He has also expressed concern regarding the use of SNAP benefits by illegal migrants.

“Too often, our hardworking men and women — particularly those in the Armed Forces— have had their livelihoods held hostage by political shenanigans in the Congress because of disagreements on unrelated issues," Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., a member of the Armed Services Committee, said Thursday.”

Scott Desjarlais voted in favor of H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, to reduce healthcare costs. He advocates for protecting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, emphasizing their role in providing healthcare without financial hardship. Additionally, he supports extending Affordable Care Act tax credits to further lower healthcare expenses for citizens.

Scott DesJarlais has consistently voted against environmental initiatives, as reflected in his 0% score from the League of Conservation Voters for his 2024 voting record. His lifetime score from the organization is 3%. These scores indicate a voting pattern that opposes climate-ambitious infrastructure investments and supports measures that reduce public input in environmental review processes.

Representative Scott Desjarlais has consistently opposed abortion and reproductive rights. He voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Right to Contraception Act, and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. He also supported a bill, H.R.3762, to disqualify Planned Parenthood from federal healthcare programs for one year. The Guardian reported he boasts a '100% pro-life voting record'.

Scott DesJarlais voted in favor of the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 on February 11, 2026. He also supported the Pressure Regulatory Organizations To End Chinese Threats to (PROTECT) Taiwan Act on February 9, 2026. As Chairman of the House Armed Services (HASC) Strategic Forces Subcommittee, he oversees critical Department of Defense operations.

Scott Desjarlais advocates for increasing education options, particularly focusing on Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology instruction, and expanding technical education opportunities. He emphasizes giving parents and states more control over educational content. In 2025, he voted against proposed changes to Title IX, supporting the role of parents in shaping their children's education decisions and opposing certain gender-related teachings in schools.

Representative Scott Desjarlais has indicated support for gun rights. He demonstrated this by introducing HB3770 in the 119th Congress, a bill designed to provide firearm licensees with opportunities to correct statutory and regulatory violations. This legislative action suggests a preference for reducing burdens on firearm holders.