Vicente Gonzalez — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Texas, 2026

Vicente Gonzalez supports border security and the enforcement of immigration laws. He also advocates for immigrant labor, citing the need for workers in sectors like agriculture and construction to address labor shortages and build affordable housing. He has criticized mass deportations, stating they negatively impact businesses and the economy. Furthermore, he supports a pathway to earned citizenship for immigrants, including DACA participants, and co-introduced the VISIBLE Act of 2025.

““Just recently, I met with the South Texas Builders Association and had a very candid conversation about the labor shortage that we're suffering in Texas and across the country. Just last year, it was shown that we would have had 400,000 homes less built in this country if it had not been for immigrant labor. “Right now, I have builders, I have realtors, I have lenders, I have title companies coming to me. These are folks who supported President Trump in his last election, who came to me and said what nobody else would say out loud – we need immigrants to build America – and we cannot do it without immigrant labor. We have a labor shortage in this country.” — Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, during a Jan. 21, 2026, Financial Services Committee hearing”

Vicente Gonzalez voted against spending bills in November and September 2025, stating they would strip health care from South Texans and fail to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. He cosponsored H.R. 4849 in September 2025, aiming to reverse health care cuts and permanently extend ACA premium tax credits. Gonzalez has also called for the restoration of Medicaid funding and urged the VA to reconsider cuts to in-home veteran health care, emphasizing the need to remove barriers for veterans.

““We cannot stand idly by while poorly conceived legislation strips health care and raises costs for our most vulnerable. I am committed to working across the aisle to ensure our seniors, veterans and families have access to affordable high quality health care,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Republicans have an opportunity to reverse the cuts they promised they would not touch. Its time do right by the American people.” — Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, Press Release, September 16, 2025, http://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-calls-republicans-restore-medicaid-funding-and”

Vicente Gonzalez voted in favor of the Republican energy bill in 2026, which aimed to roll back climate policies, including a methane emissions fee and opening public land for drilling. He also voted "Yes" on the "Don't Mess With My Home Appliances Act" in 2026. He expressed support for improving federal environmental review and permitting processes to ensure access to reliable and affordable energy, despite supporting a package that lowered environmental review standards. The League of Conservation Voters gave him scores ranging from 71% in 2017 to 95% in 2020.

“In order to fully realize the benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, remain competitive on the world stage, and ensure the American people have access to safer roads and bridges and reliable and affordable energy, we must improve federal environmental review and permitting processes,” Gonzalez said in a statement to the Tribune. “While this package is far from perfect, it is a step forward. I am hopeful that we can work in a bipartisan and bicameral way to make progress on this issue and deliver for our constituents.””

Vicente Gonzalez supports legal abortion and has voted to prohibit government restrictions on access. He voted "No" on both the "Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act" (HR 6945) and the "Pregnant Students' Rights Act" (HR 6359). He advocates for increased funding for critical health care and family planning services for women.

Vicente Gonzalez voted against an amendment to reduce the number of nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missiles. He supported removing unfunded priority lists from defense officials and voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. Gonzalez also supported requiring congressional authorization for further U.S. military intervention, demonstrating this with a vote to direct the removal of unauthorized forces from Venezuela. He voted in favor of the PROTECT Taiwan Act.

““The world witnessed an extraordinary operation that was executed by our CIA and military. For that, I am grateful. However, any further military intervention by the United States must receive congressional authorization.” - Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, Press Release, January 3, 2026.”

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez announced over $4.7 million in federal funding for the Region One Education Service Center to expand mental health services for South Texas students across 34 campuses. He also urged President Trump to prevent wage garnishment for defaulted student loan borrowers. Gonzalez supports efforts to reduce student loan debt and make college more accessible and affordable, believing a quality education is essential for higher-paying jobs and global competitiveness.

“Education: Education is the advice of our parents and grandparents, and they know what they’re talking about. In today’s information economy, a quality education is a necessity. Education is required to get ahead in life, compete for higher paying jobs, and to expand our innovation and creativity as a workforce to compete on a global scale. (Vicente Gonzalez, Ballotpedia)”

Research pending more substantial sources.