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BIOGUIDE G000587 · FEC H8TX29052

Sylvia Garcia

U.S. Representative (since 2019)DINCUMBENT

Race
U.S. House · Texas's 29th Congressional District
Result
Sylvia Garcia, projected winner
Opponent
Martha Fierro (R)
Research
Basic

Party line27 votes tracked

26With Democrats
1Against
0Didn't vote

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

Said vs. did5 statements · 27 votes

she is fighting to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to safeguard access to safe, legal healthcare, abortion, and IVF

Protect legal access to abortion

Compare statements with votes ›

On the ballotU.S. House · 29

2026-11-03

Sylvia Garcia Dincumbent
Martha Fierro Rchallenger

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
she is fighting to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to safeguard access to safe, legal healthcare, abortion, and IVF

Campaign issues page says she is fighting to pass the Women's Health Protection Act to safeguard access to safe, legal abortion.[4]

  • YESWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24).[5]
  • YESWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15).[6]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Stricter gun lawsSupports
Congresswoman Garcia supports gun safety legislation

Official site says she supports gun safety legislation and is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.[7]

  • YESBipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27), which would have required background checks on most private gun sales.[8]
  • YESAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29), which would have banned the sale of many semiautomatic assault weapons.[9]
  • YESBipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24), which expanded background checks for buyers under 21 and funded state red-flag programs.[10]

3 of 3 votes point the same way as the statement

Expand public health coverageSupports
She is pushing back against Trump and his billionaire allies who put corporate profits ahead of people, slashing Medicaid, Medicare, and programs that help families make ends meet.

Campaign issues page says she is pushing back against cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.[4]

  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements.[11][12]
  • YESBreaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies.[13]

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), which would raise the federal minimum wage.

Documented position[14]

  • YESRaise the Wage Act (H.R. 582, 2019-07-18).[15]

1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement

Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroadSupports

Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 38 (119th Congress), a War Powers Resolution measure directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities not authorized by Congress. Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 40 (119th Congress), a War Powers Resolution measure directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities not authorized by Congress. Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 68 (119th Congress), directing the removal of U.S. forces from Venezuela not authorized by Congress.

Documented position[16][17][18]

  • 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.[19]
  • 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.[20]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Expand immigration enforcement and deportations

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOLaken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22).[21]
  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.[11][12]
  • NOSecure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11).[22]
  • YESAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04; 2021-03-18).[23][24]
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.[11][12]
  • 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.[11][12]
  • 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

Sylvia Garcia is the Democratic U.S. Representative for Texas's 29th District, in office since 2019, and won re-election on November 3, 2026. A social worker and lawyer by training, she was presiding judge of the Houston municipal court system, Houston city controller, a Harris County commissioner, and a Texas state senator before Congress. She is Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee.[1][2][3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Garcia was born in San Diego, Texas, in 1950. According to her congressional biography, she grew up in the farming community of Palito Blanco as the eighth of ten children.[1][3] She earned a bachelor's degree in social work and political science from Texas Woman's University in 1972 and a J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 1978.[1][3] Early in her career she worked as a social worker and a legal aid lawyer.[1][3]

Garcia served as director and presiding judge of the Houston Municipal System for five terms under two mayors, according to her congressional biography.[1][3] She was elected Houston city controller in 1998 and served two terms, then was elected to the Harris County Commissioners Court, where her biography says she was the first Hispanic and first woman elected in her own right.[1][3] She was sworn into the Texas Senate on March 11, 2013, representing District 6, after winning a special runoff election for the seat of the late Sen. Mario Gallegos, and served until 2018.[1][3]

Garcia was elected to the U.S. House in November 2018 and sworn in on January 3, 2019, becoming the first Latina to represent the 29th District.[3] She serves as Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, and in January 2020 she was one of seven House managers in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.[3] She won the November 3, 2026 general election with 79.9% of the vote to Martha Fierro's 20.1%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[2]

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 27 votes.

All 27 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.
2019-07-18With partyvoted yesRaise the Wage Act — House passageH.R. 582 · Passed 231–199 · roll call ↗Democrats 228–7 · Republicans 3–192Would have raised the federal minimum wage in steps from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025.
2019-06-04With partyvoted yesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passageH.R. 6 · Passed 237–187 · roll call ↗Democrats 230–0 · Republicans 7–187Would 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.
2019-02-27With partyvoted yesBipartisan Background Checks Act — House passageH.R. 8 · Passed 240–190 · roll call ↗Democrats 232–2 · Republicans 8–188Would have required background checks for most firearm transfers between private parties.

On the record

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

  • actionServes on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Ethics in the 119th Congress.[29]
Campaign money$987K raised · 34% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30

Profile: /people/sylvia-r-garcia

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 3 of 448 party-divided votes on file.

  • Amendment (Boebert) to H.R. 8800 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

    A yes vote supported an H.R. 8800 amendment that strikes section 518, a pilot program using voice-based risk assessment technology to identify servicemembers for drug testing. (AI-written)

    What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national…

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 175–37, Republicans 90–123

    Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗

  • Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act

    What it does: Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to address the limitations on Reid Vapor Pressure (a measure of gasoline's volatility) that are placed on gasoline during the…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 95–113, Republicans 122–90

    May 13, 2026Official record ↗

  • REFINER Act

    What it does: Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act or the REFINER Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to direct the National Petroleum Council to publish a report on petrochemical…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 25–176, Republicans 204–0

    Nov 20, 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.Sylvia Garcia · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Texas 29th District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
  3. 3.About · Office of Rep. Sylvia Garcia Official record
  4. 4.Issues · Sylvia Garcia for Congress Candidate's own words
  5. 5.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  6. 6.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record
  7. 7.Gun Violence Prevention · Office of Rep. Sylvia Garcia Official record
  8. 8.Roll call: Bipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-02-27 Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  14. 14.H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (Raise the Wage Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: Raise the Wage Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-07-18 Official record
  16. 16.H.Con.Res. 38 (Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  17. 17.H.Con.Res. 40 (Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  18. 18.H.Con.Res. 68 (To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  19. 19.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
  20. 20.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
  21. 21.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  22. 22.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  23. 23.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-06-04 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.Sylvia Garcia · Ballotpedia Reference