U.S. House · Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District

Allegheny County, including the City of Pittsburgh and its eastern and southern suburbs.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 20 claims re-checked against their sources · 2 corrected · 0 removed

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

  • Hayes's education background (Georgetown, Princeton, University of Chicago degrees) was cited to Summer Lee's Ballotpedia page instead of his own Candidate Connection survey (s4); corrected the citation.
  • Hayes's summary (businessman/economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond) was sourced only to Lee's page; added his own Candidate Connection survey (s4) as a supporting source.
  • Lee's committee assignments were already correctly stated for the current 2025-2026 Congress; primary result (81.2%-18.8%) and ATF letter date (May 22, 2026, with Reps. Frost and Mfume) verified exactly against sources.

On the ballot · 2 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUESummer Lee
D
James Hayes
R
Protect legal access to abortionSupports[2]—
Stricter gun lawsSupports[3]—
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsOpposes[5][6][7][8][9]votes—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsSupports[6][7][8]votes—
Expand public health coverageSupports[6][7][8][10]votes—
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsSupports[6][7][8]votes—
Increase police funding and staffing—Supports[4]
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)—Supports[4]
Continue U.S. military aid to Israel—Supports[4]
Broad tariffs on imported goodsOpposes[11]votes—

The candidates, in full

Summer Lee

DINCUMBENTU.S. Representative (since 2023)

Summer Lee is the incumbent U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th District, first elected in 2022. Before Congress she served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and campaigns on reproductive rights, gun-violence prevention, and affordable housing.[1]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • YesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The 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.
  • YesResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The 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.
  • YesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The 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.
  • YesWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The 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.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.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.
  • NoRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.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.
  • NoSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The 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.
  • NoSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.

On the record — official actions

  • actionAssigned to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee) and the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 2025-2026 Congress.[1]
  • actionJoined Reps. Frost and Mfume in pressing the ATF director for answers on Trump administration rollbacks of gun-safety regulations, May 2026.[3]
  • actionElected to the Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, defeating James Hayes.[1]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsProtect legal access to abortion

    Supports codifying federal abortion rights, repealing the Hyde Amendment, and ending the federal criminalization of abortion; supports expanding the Supreme Court in response to its abortion rulings.[2]

    “The right-wing extremists on the Supreme Court have gutted our constitutional right to abortion care, and Congress must do everything in its power to protect this fundamental right.”
  • SupportsStricter gun laws

    Supports an assault-weapons ban, expanded background checks, and ending legal protections for gun manufacturers.[3]

    “We need an assault weapons ban, expanded background checks, end protections for corporate gun manufacturers and bold gun-safety legislation.”
  • OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted no on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11).[5][6][7][8][9]

  • SupportsExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted yes on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08).[6][7][8][10]

  • SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[6][7][8]

  • SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One 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.[6][7][8]

  • OpposesBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[11]

In their words — priorities

  • Says Congress must protect federal abortion rights, repeal the Hyde Amendment, and pass legislation such as the Women's Health Protection Act and the EACH Act.[2]
  • Says gun violence in western Pennsylvania requires both an assault-weapons ban and expanded background checks, as well as investment in underfunded communities to address the root causes of street violence.[3]

Background

  • Born in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, in 1987; earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Pennsylvania State University in 2009 and a J.D. from Howard University in 2015.[1]
  • Worked as a summer intern with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia.[1]

Campaign money

Raised $1.5M · spent $829K · $1.6M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

James Hayes

RBusinessman and economist

James Hayes is a businessman and economist who previously worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He is challenging incumbent Summer Lee for the second consecutive election, after losing to her in 2024. He campaigns on reducing regulation, school choice, and law-enforcement support.[1][4]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)

    Supports implementing school choice so that children are not "condemned to a poor education because of their zip code."[4]

    “Children should not be condemned to a poor education because of their zip code and we must implement school choice to provide the incentives to improve outcomes across the educational spectrum.”
  • SupportsContinue U.S. military aid to Israel

    Supports Israel and its right to defend itself.[4]

    “He supports Israel and its right to defend itself, opposes excessive government spending and will work to restore balance, accountability and civility to our government.”
  • SupportsIncrease police funding and staffing

    Says he supports law enforcement and will work to ensure officers have the tools needed to keep communities safe.[4]

    “James supports our law enforcement and will work to ensure they have the tools they need to keep our communities safe.”

In their words — priorities

  • Says he supports ending overregulation that he says is costing the region jobs and causing industry to leave, and supports school choice to improve educational outcomes regardless of zip code.[4]
  • Lists economic growth and energy independence, border security, access to quality education, and public safety and support of law enforcement as areas of passion.[4]

Background

  • Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in 1983, a graduate degree from Princeton University in 1985, and a graduate degree from the University of Chicago in 1989.[4]
  • Worked for six years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and has worked in industry and finance as a businessman.[4]

Campaign money

Raised $40K · spent $31K · $9,521 cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Research notes & limits

Summer Lee's federal key votes and FEC finance totals are added separately by script. Not identified as a competitive race by Ballotpedia.

Sources · 11

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.Summer Lee · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice · Office of Rep. Summer Lee Official record
  3. 3.Gun Violence Prevention · Office of Rep. Summer Lee Official record
  4. 4.James Hayes (Pennsylvania) — Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2023 Candidate's own words
  5. 5.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  6. 6.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  7. 7.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  8. 8.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record