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John Garamendi

U.S. Representative, CA, district 8

DemocraticHouse

Positions last updated Oct 12, 2026

In Congress since
2009
Years served
17
Age
81
Current term ends
Jan 3, 2027

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress (via the public congress-legislators dataset). Photo: official congressional portrait.

Compare with another member

Where their record lies

Between the typical Democratic and typical Republican record

GaramendiClose to the typical Democratic record. John Garamendi's record sits -6% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record. 258 Democratic and 269 Republican members are shown; 13 of 530 sit in the middle.
Democratic258 members
Middle13 members
Republican269 members

Close to the typical Democratic record

John Garamendi's record sits -6% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record.

Built from 6 topics that divide the parties. It describes a record of votes and statements, not a person. How this is calculated.

Their record by topic

Further from the center means more agreement with the quiz statement

Web chart of John Garamendi’s positions on 8 topics; a larger shape means stronger agreement.Health careTaxes & spendingImmigrationClimate & energyGunsAbortionEducationForeign policy

Each point averages how John Garamendi votes and what they say on that topic. A topic with no data is left out, not drawn as neutral. The sources are in the sections below.

Where they stand

Each topic is a statement from the quiz. "Agree" means their votes or words line up with it.

  • Health care

    “The federal government should guarantee health coverage for every American.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Strongly agree

  • Taxes & spending

    “Lowering taxes matters more than expanding government services.”

    Votes: Strongly disagree|Says: Disagree

  • Immigration

    “Border security should be the top priority in immigration policy.”

    Votes: Strongly disagree|Says: Disagree

  • Climate & energy

    “The federal government should require cuts to carbon emissions, even if energy costs rise.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Agree

  • Guns

    “Federal law should require background checks on all gun sales, including private sales.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Agree

  • Abortion

    “Abortion law should be decided by each state, not the federal government.”

    Votes: No data|Says: Strongly disagree

  • Education

    “Public school funding should follow students to the school their family chooses, including private schools.”

    Votes: Disagree|Says: Neutral or unsure

  • Foreign policy

    “The U.S. should keep providing military aid to its allies abroad.”

    Votes: Neutral or unsure|Says: Neutral or unsure

Votes on key bills

The final vote on each bill Scope tracks (not every vote they have cast). Newest first.

Show 12 more votes

Source: House Clerk and Senate roll-call records via Congress.gov. For every vote they have cast, see GovTrack.

Words versus votes

Pro preview · free for now

No topic where votes and statements point in opposite directions (7 topics compared).

A difference is a prompt to look closer, not proof of anything. Votes come from a short list of tracked bills; statements come from speeches, press releases and bills they put their name on. See the evidence for each topic. On 1 more topic one side is neutral, so there is nothing to contrast.

What they work on

5 bills written, 266 signed onto. Top topic: International Affairs

In the current Congress they have written 5 bills and signed on to 266 more. A bill someone writes shows what they want to change.

Topics of the bills they wrote

  • International Affairs2
  • Armed Forces and National Security1
  • Education1
  • Social Welfare1

Most recent bills they wrote

  • H.R. 2629: Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act (Sep 24, 2026)
  • H.Con.Res. 119: Celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Peace Corps, and commending its volunteers and contribut... (Sep 21, 2026)
  • H.Con.Res. 92: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces ... (Apr 28, 2026)
  • H.R. 4372: To amend title 10 to shorten breach reporting timelines, increase program transparency, and improve congressional ove... (Jul 14, 2025)
  • H.R. 728: Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025 (Jan 24, 2025)

Source: Sponsorship records from Congress.gov; each bill links to its page there.

Committees

2 committees: House Committee on Armed Services; House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Committees study and rewrite bills before the full chamber votes.

Source: Committee rosters from the congress-legislators dataset (built from the House and Senate committee pages, as of 2026-10-12). Each committee name links to its official page.

Career in Congress

2009 to present
  • 2009 to 2013U.S. House, CA, district 10Democrat
  • 2013 to 2023U.S. House, CA, district 3Democrat
  • 2023 to presentU.S. House, CA, district 8Democrat

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Contact and learn more

Office phone, website, message form and where to read more

Contact their office

Read more about them

Source: Contact details from the member's official pages, via the congress-legislators dataset. Outside sites are not run by Scope.

The evidence, topic by topic

Every position links to the votes, quotes and bills it was built from

Health care

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 6 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.Roll call on billRoll call on American Health Care Act of 2017Roll call on billRoll call on bill

Votes behind Garamendi, John's position on Health care

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 3 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 3069: Medicare for All Actcosponsored bill: HR 4849: Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025cosponsored bill: HR 2045: Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Health care

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Taxes & spending

How they vote

Strongly disagree (-2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

Votes behind Garamendi, John's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Disagree (-1)

Based on 4 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 5475: No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Actcosponsored bill: HR 869: Keep Our PACT Actcosponsored bill: HR 609: Assuring Medicare’s Promise Act of 2025cosponsored bill: HR 3543: College for All Act of 2025

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Immigration

How they vote

Strongly disagree (-2)

Calculated from 3 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on Secure the Border Act of 2023Roll call on billRoll call on bill

Votes behind Garamendi, John's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Disagree (-1)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 924: NO BAN Actcosponsored bill: HR 1061: Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Climate & energy

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.Roll call on Lower Energy Costs Act

Votes behind Garamendi, John's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Agree (+1)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 4325: Clean Shipping Act of 2025cosponsored bill: HRES 68: Expressing strong disapproval of the President's announcement to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Guns

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019Roll call on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Votes behind Garamendi, John's position on Guns

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Agree (+1)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 18: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025cosponsored bill: HR 3868: Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Guns

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Abortion

How they vote

No data

What they say

Strongly disagree (-2)

Based on 3 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 8734: To express the Sense of Congress with respect to safety of medication abortion and Federal preemption of State restrictions on dispensing medication abortion, and for other cosponsored bill: HR 12: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025cosponsored bill: HR 4099: Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Abortion

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Education

How they vote

Disagree (-1)

Calculated from 3 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.Roll call on billRoll call on bill

Votes behind Garamendi, John's position on Education

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Neutral or unsure (0)

Based on 1 cosponsored bill related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 9289: Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Education

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Foreign policy

How they vote

Neutral or unsure (0)

Calculated from 4 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024Roll call on Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024Roll call on Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024Roll call on bill

Votes behind Garamendi, John's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Neutral or unsure (0)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: HR 2411: UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025cosponsored bill: HR 3565: To provide for a limitation on the transfer of defense articles and defense services to Israel.

Statements behind Garamendi, John's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Revision history

50 recorded changes
  • Foreign policy (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 0 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 1 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): -1 to -1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): -1 to -1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): 1 to 1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): 0 to 0Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): -2 to -2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (statement): 0 to 0Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (statement): 1 to 1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): created at 1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): created at -2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (statement): created at 1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): created at -1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): created at -1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026