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BIOGUIDE J000305 · FEC H8CA49074

Sara Jacobs

U.S. Representative, CA-51 (since 2023)DINCUMBENT

Race
U.S. House · California's 51st District
Result
Sara Jacobs, projected winner
Opponent
Ricardo Cabrera (R)
Research
Basic

Party line24 votes tracked

23With Democrats
1Against
0Didn't vote

With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.

Said vs. did6 statements · 24 votes

As a 35-year-old woman, reproductive health care is my health care. That’s why the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion was deeply personal for me and millions of other people across our country.

Protect legal access to abortion

Compare statements with votes ›

On the ballotU.S. House · 51

2026-11-03

Sara Jacobs Dincumbent
Ricardo Cabrera Rchallenger

Won the June 2, 2026 top-two primary with 57.7% of the vote.

Said vs. did

Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.

Protect legal access to abortionSupports
As a 35-year-old woman, reproductive health care is my health care. That’s why the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion was deeply personal for me and millions of other people across our country.

Says reproductive health care is personal to her and calls the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion deeply personal.[5]

  • YESWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24).[6]
  • YESWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15).[7]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroadSupports

Sponsored H.Con.Res. 101 (119th Congress), which directs the President under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran, and cosponsored H.Con.Res. 64, on Venezuela hostilities not authorized by Congress.

Documented position[8][9]

  • YESWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization.[10]
  • YESWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.[11]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Expand public health coverageSupports

Cosponsored H.R. 3069, the Medicare for All Act (119th Congress).

Documented position[12]

  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements.[13][14]
  • YESBreaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies.[15]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Raise the minimum wageSupports

Cosponsored H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (119th Congress).

Documented position[16]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Stricter gun lawsSupports

Cosponsored H.R. 3115, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, and H.R. 18, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 (119th Congress).

Documented position[17][18]

  • YESAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29), which would have banned the sale of many semiautomatic assault weapons.[19]
  • YESBipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24), which expanded background checks for buyers under 21 and funded state red-flag programs.[20]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsOpposes

Cosponsored H.R. 7392 (119th Congress), which would impose a hiring freeze on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Documented position[21]

  • NOLaken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22).[22]
  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.[13][14]
  • NOSecure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11).[23]
  • YESAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6, 2021-03-18).[24]

3 of 3 votes point the same way as the statement

Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOSAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).[25]
Faster transition away from fossil fuels

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[13][14]
  • YESBuild Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.[26][27]
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[13][14]
  • YESInflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.[27]
Broad tariffs on imported goods

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • YESResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.[28]
Universal, publicly funded child care

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • YESBuild Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.[26]

Biography

Democrat Sara Jacobs is the U.S. Representative for California's 51st District and won re-election on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results. First elected in 2020, she is a third-generation San Diegan who worked on conflict and development issues at the United Nations, UNICEF and the State Department before founding a nonprofit and a child-poverty coalition. She serves on the Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees.[1][2][3][4]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Jacobs was born in San Diego, California, in 1989; her official biography describes her as a third-generation San Diegan and a graduate of Torrey Pines High School.[3][2] She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University, in 2011 and 2012.[3][2] She worked in the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in the Innovation Unit at UNICEF, and in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, and she served as a policy advisor on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.[3][2]

Jacobs was founding CEO of Project Connect, a nonprofit mapping schools and their internet connectivity that her official biography says became a UNICEF flagship program, and she was a scholar in residence at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego.[2] In 2018 she founded San Diego for Every Child, a coalition to end child poverty in San Diego County.[3][2]

Jacobs won California's 53rd District in November 2020, defeating fellow Democrat Georgette Gómez 59.5% to 40.5%; the seat is now numbered the 51st and includes much of the City of San Diego and all of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove.[3][4] She serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she is ranking member of the Africa subcommittee, and on the Armed Services Committee. Her official biography also lists her as founding co-chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus and as parliamentarian of the House Democratic Caucus.[2][4] She won the November 3, 2026 general election with 64% of the vote to Ricardo Cabrera's 36%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]

Recent votes

DateParty lineMeasure
2026-06-03With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207
2026-02-11With partyvoted yesResolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210
2026-02-03With partyvoted noConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21
2026-01-08With partyvoted yesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196
2025-12-17With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212
2025-12-10Against partyvoted noNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18
2025-11-18With partyvoted yesEpstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1
2025-11-12With partyvoted noContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2

Showing the 8 most recent of 24 votes.

All 24 recorded votes
DateParty lineMeasure
2026-06-03With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
2026-02-11With partyvoted yesResolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
2026-02-03With partyvoted noConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
2026-01-08With partyvoted yesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
2025-12-17With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
2025-12-10Against partyvoted noNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
2025-11-18With partyvoted yesEpstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
2025-11-12With partyvoted noContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
2025-07-17With partyvoted noCLARITY Act — digital asset market structureH.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · roll call ↗Democrats 78–134 · Republicans 216–0The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
2025-07-17With partyvoted noGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulationS. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · roll call ↗Democrats 102–110 · Republicans 206–12The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
2025-07-03With partyvoted noOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passageH.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 218–2H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
2025-06-12With partyvoted noRescissions Act of 2025H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–208 · Republicans 214–4The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
2025-05-22With partyvoted noOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passageH.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 215–2H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
2025-04-10With partyvoted noSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registrationH.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 4–208 · Republicans 216–0The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
2025-03-11With partyvoted noFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 1–212 · Republicans 216–1The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
2025-01-22With partyvoted noLaken Riley Act — final passageS. 5 · Passed 263–156 · roll call ↗Democrats 46–156 · Republicans 217–0The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
2023-05-11With partyvoted noSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passageH.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–211 · Republicans 219–2Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.
2022-08-12With partyvoted yesInflation Reduction Act — final House passageH.R. 5376 · Passed 220–207 · roll call ↗Democrats 220–0 · Republicans 0–207Enacted clean-energy and climate tax credits, a 15% minimum tax on large corporations' book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and Medicare drug-price negotiation.
2022-07-29With partyvoted yesAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passageH.R. 1808 · Passed 217–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 215–5 · Republicans 2–208Would have banned the sale, manufacture and import of many semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
2022-07-15With partyvoted yesWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passageH.R. 8296 · Passed 219–210 · roll call ↗Democrats 219–1 · Republicans 0–209Passed after Dobbs; would have created a federal statutory right to abortion services and limited state restrictions.
2022-06-24With partyvoted yesBipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passageS. 2938 · Passed 234–193 · roll call ↗Democrats 220–0 · Republicans 14–193Expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red-flag and crisis-intervention programs, and narrowed the "boyfriend loophole."
2021-11-19With partyvoted yesBuild Back Better Act — House passageH.R. 5376 · Passed 220–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 220–1 · Republicans 0–212Would have funded clean-energy tax credits, universal pre-kindergarten and child-care subsidies, and extended health-coverage subsidies; it did not pass the Senate.
2021-09-24With partyvoted yesWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passageH.R. 3755 · Passed 218–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 218–1 · Republicans 0–210Would have created a federal statutory right for providers to offer, and patients to receive, abortion services, limiting state restrictions.
2021-03-18With partyvoted yesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passageH.R. 6 · Passed 228–197 · roll call ↗Democrats 219–0 · Republicans 9–197Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.

On the record

Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.

  • actionServes on the House Committee on Armed Services (Intelligence and Special Operations and Military Personnel subcommittees) and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for the 119th Congress (2025-2026).[29]
  • actionServed as ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa during the 118th Congress (2023-2024).[29]
  • actionLed 54 House colleagues in a July 2026 letter to USCIS demanding faster processing of delayed DACA renewal applications.[30]
  • actionCo-led a Congressional Review Act resolution with Reps. Bonamici and Scott and Sen. Murray to repeal a 2026 HHS rule that would raise child care copayment caps and change subsidy reimbursement rules.[31]

In their own words

Priorities

  • Expanding access to affordable, quality child care and opposing federal rule changes she says raise costs for families.[31]
  • Protecting Dreamers and DACA recipients from job loss and deportation risk amid delays in DACA renewal processing.[30]
  • Helping constituents understand and access their reproductive rights following the end of the federal constitutional right to abortion.[5]
Campaign money$1.6M raised · 27% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30

Totals this cycle

Raised$1.6M
Spent$1.4M
Cash on hand$269K

Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.

Who gave

  • Individuals $415K
  • PACs & committees $207K
  • Own money & loans $929K

Profile: /people/sara-jacobs

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 1 of 470 party-divided votes on file.

  • To direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain communities, and for other purposes

    What it does: This bill requires the U.

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 75–121, Republicans 202–0

    Jul 21, 2025Official record ↗

Full voting recordHow this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›

Sources cited in this profile

  1. 1.California's 51st District election results 2026 · NBC News News report
  2. 2.Biography | Meet Sara · Office of Rep. Sara Jacobs · 2026-10-21 Official record
  3. 3.Sara Jacobs · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  4. 4.Meet Sara · Office of Rep. Sara Jacobs, U.S. House of Representatives Official record
  5. 5.Know Your Reproductive Rights & How To Access Abortion Care · Office of Rep. Sara Jacobs · 2026-09-25 Official record
  6. 6.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  7. 7.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record
  8. 8.H.Con.Res. 101 - Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran (119th Congress) · Congress.gov Official record
  9. 9.H.Con.Res. 64 - To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress (119th Congress) · Congress.gov Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
  12. 12.H.R. 3069 - Medicare for All Act (119th Congress) · Congress.gov Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  16. 16.H.R. 2743 - Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (119th Congress) · Congress.gov Official record
  17. 17.H.R. 3115 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 (119th Congress) · Congress.gov Official record
  18. 18.H.R. 18 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 (119th Congress) · Congress.gov Official record
  19. 19.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  20. 20.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  21. 21.H.R. 7392 (To impose a hiring freeze on United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  22. 22.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  23. 23.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  24. 24.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
  25. 25.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 Official record
  26. 26.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
  27. 27.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
  28. 28.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  29. 29.Sara Jacobs · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  30. 30.Rep. Sara Jacobs Led 54 Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Delayed DACA Renewals · Office of Rep. Sara Jacobs · 2026-07-01 Official record
  31. 31.Jacobs, Bonamici, Scott, Murray Introduce Legislation to Overturn Harmful Child Care Rule · Office of Rep. Sara Jacobs · 2026-06-24 Official record