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Amy Phan West, CA-45 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 5, 2026

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Amy Phan West

Current job title: Councilwoman

Age: 43

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Councilwoman

City where you reside: Westminster

Campaign website or social media: AmyPhanWest.com

From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)

The three biggest issues facing Californians are affordability, healthcare costs, and border security.

On affordability, the only long-term solution to stop inflation is cutting federal spending and ending inflationary deficit spending. As a member of Congress, I will fight for a balanced-budget amendment, vote against every continuing resolution that balloons spending, and sponsor legislation to sunset wasteful programs unless they prove results.

On healthcare, Obamacare’s predictions have come true: premiums and out-of-pocket costs have skyrocketed. I will push bills that shift the system toward better outcomes, price transparency, malpractice reform, and letting patients shop across state lines. We must support competition that drives costs down instead of government mandates that drives them up.

On border security, I came to America legally. My family waited 30 months in refugee camps. Legal immigration made us who we are. I will vote to finish the border wall, end catch-and-release, fully fund ICE and Border Patrol, and reform the legal immigration system so it works efficiently and fairly. Californians deserve safe neighborhoods and a secure border.

Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The Constitution gives states primary authority over elections, but the federal government has a legitimate role in ensuring those elections are fair, secure, and free from fraud. Requiring proof of citizenship to vote is common sense. It protects the integrity of every ballot and restores public confidence. I will support federal legislation that mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration while still respecting states’ rights to run their own elections. No American should fear that their vote is canceled by someone who is not legally eligible to cast one.

What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The federal government’s top immigration priority must be public safety: apprehending and removing those who have committed crimes while here. Criminal aliens endanger our communities and undermine the rule of law. I will support full funding for ICE enforcement, expedited removal for criminal convictions, and cooperation with local law enforcement. At the same time, we must fix the legal immigration system so it rewards those who follow the rules, just as my family did after waiting 30 months in refugee camps. Secure borders and legal immigration are not opposites; both are essential.

It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Beyond letters, I will personally negotiate with House and Senate leadership to attach the supplemental aid to must-pass legislation, using every procedural tool available. I will insist on strict oversight mechanisms, independent audits and clawback provisions to prevent the fraud that has plagued California-run programs in the past. Californians deserve the help, but taxpayers nationwide deserve guarantees that the money actually rebuilds homes, not lines pockets. Bipartisan accountability is the only way to get the aid passed and delivered.

Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Yes. I strongly support the Pelosi Act to ban members of Congress and their immediate families from buying or selling individual stocks. Public service should not be a vehicle for personal profit. To close loopholes, I will co-sponsor legislation requiring blind trusts for all stock holdings, real-time public disclosure of any transactions, and criminal penalties for insider trading. Lawmakers should focus on policy, not portfolio performance.

Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

At this point, technological innovation is far more effective than additional burdensome regulations. I will champion tax credits and expedited permitting for nuclear, advanced geothermal, carbon-capture, and next-generation batteries. We need solutions that reduce emissions without crushing small businesses or raising energy bills on California families. Innovation, not regulation, is how America actually cleans the air while keeping costs down.

President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

No. We must cut spending across the board if we are ever to control inflation. I will vote against blank check increases and demand rigorous oversight of every defense dollar. National security is non-negotiable, but fiscal responsibility is too. I will support targeted funding for actual readiness and modernization, not endless waste, so we strengthen the military without bankrupting the country.

Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The United States should engage in war only when America itself, or our vital national interests, are directly threatened. Self-defense is the clear constitutional standard. I will never support sending American troops into conflict unless that threshold is met.

Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Generally, yes, the President should seek congressional approval before major military action overseas. Congress has the power to declare war for good reason. However, the President must retain flexibility to respond immediately if American lives or territory are in imminent danger. The line between necessary speed and unchecked power must protect both national security and the Constitution.

Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Congress did not fulfil its constitutional obligation during the previous administrations. Under the previous administration, there were almost no meaningful congressional or judicial constraints, leading to massive negative consequences for the nation. Whether the President is Democrat or Republican, Congress must reclaim its budgetary, legislative, and oversight powers. I will vote to restore that balance.

Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Some age-appropriate restrictions are reasonable to protect children’s mental health. I support requiring platforms to verify age and obtain parental consent for users under 16, while strictly protecting the free-speech rights of adults. Any law must be narrowly tailored so government never censors lawful adult speech.

Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Statistics claiming violent crime is declining ignore the reality Californians live every day: out-of-control homelessness, open drug use, and unchecked petty crime have made neighborhoods feel unsafe. As a member of Congress, I will fight for federal resources to support local law enforcement, fund treatment and housing programs that actually work, and crack down on repeat offenders. Safe streets and parks for California families must be the priority.

There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Yes, I support term limits for Congress. House members should be limited to eight terms. This allows enough time to gain experience while ensuring fresh ideas and preventing career politicians. Term limits will restore accountability and make Congress more responsive to the people it serves.

What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I take college students with me to a convalescent home, where I play guitar and sing to the residents. What begins as a simple visit often turns into something deeply meaningful for everyone involved. The students arrive unsure of what to expect, but as the music starts, the room changes. Faces that were once quiet begin to light up, feet tap along, and sometimes voices join in, soft at first, then stronger with each familiar melody.

For many of the residents, these moments bring back memories of their youth, their families, and the songs that once filled their own homes. Music becomes a bridge across generations, connecting young people with those who have lived full and complex lives. It reminds us all that joy, dignity, and human connection don’t fade with age.

For the students, it’s a powerful lesson in compassion and perspective. They begin to see beyond themselves and understand the importance of presence, just showing up, listening, and sharing time. They learn that service doesn’t always require grand gestures; sometimes it’s as simple as a song, a smile, or a conversation.

These visits are more than outreach; they are a reminder of our shared humanity, and how small acts of kindness can create lasting impact on both hearts giving and receiving.

Orange County Register

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Amy Phan West, CA-45 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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