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Maxine Waters, CA-43 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: Maxine Waters

Current job title: U.S. Congresswoman

Age: 87

Political party affiliation: Democratic

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: California State Assembly

City where you reside: Los Angeles

Campaign website or social media: N/A

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.)

More money for housing and health care.

Affordability.

Wars: Ukraine + Iran.

A president who is unpredictable and corrupt.

Reform ICE.

Organize, protest, try to legislate and work to increase voter participation.

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 president is requesting birth certificates or passports for registration and picture ID for voting. This is simply a voter suppression tactic. We must resist his SAVE Act.

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.)

Have a system to deal fairly with asylum seekers. Have comprehensive immigration reform recognizing agriculture needs, military service, length of stay in the country, paying taxes, no criminal record, etc.

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.)

Trump is punishing California. Trump hates California. Trump controls the entire Republican Party — the Republicans vote as Trump directs them to — as long as Trump is the president. He will not negotiate or reason with Democrats.

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.)

I support a ban on congressional lawmakers owning, buying and selling stocks and all cryptocurrency and prediction market betting.

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.)

Yes, and I am the author of the Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act.

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.)

If the president does not come to Congress to consider war, I would have a difficult time supporting funding. There must be factual and documental evidence of danger to our country.

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

A decision for war must first have the president consult Congress. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to determine war.

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.)

Yes. The Constitution of the U.S. is clear. The president must consult the Congress. This president has ignored Congress and created a war with Iran. In doing so, many of our allies are not supporting Donald Trump’s Iran War.

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.)

The president has used his executive authority to ignore Congress, to intimidate Republicans, to abuse his powers, to reject Democrats, and ignore the people of this country. The polls are now showing his dictator-type rule.

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.)

Congress must be careful about freedom of speech. However, Congress must protect the people. Information, research, court cases, hearings and sensible laws stand to dictate legislative responses.

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.)

Congress must be concerned about crime, produce sensible federal laws and work with local officials to support certain crimes in their communities.

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.)

Let the voters decide on term limits.

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

Whatever talent I have is on display. I’m a progressive lawmaker. I am an expert negotiator. I am an organizer. I am a good and articulate speaker. I solve problems. Oh, I’m a great dancer! And a strong swimmer.

Orange County Register

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Maxine Waters, CA-43 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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