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: Laura Friedman
Current job title: Member, United States House of Representatives
Age: 59
Political party affiliation: Democratic
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Glendale City Council 2009-2016 | Glendale Mayor 2011-2012 | Assemblymember 2016-2024 | Congressmember 2024-Present
City where you reside: Glendale
Campaign website or social media: lauraforcongress.org
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.)
Rising costs are crushing Angelenos, and we must do more to build housing to lower rent and prices. We also must reinstate the Affordable Care Act tax relief to lower healthcare costs. That bill has passed the House, but is stalled in the Senate because President Trump has refused to back lowering insurance costs. President Trump’s war in Iran and attacks on clean energy have also made our problems with high energy prices even worse. We need commonsense reforms to expand energy production and lower costs for rate-payers to give relief to California families.
Californians also pay tens of billions of dollars more per year than in taxes than we get back from the federal government. Despite that, President Trump has relentlessly attacked California, and particularly Los Angeles. He has sent ICE to needlessly terrorize our neighborhoods, arresting American citizens and threatening communities. He deployed the National Guard with no clear authority or rationale, and he has repeatedly cut funding for key projects across the state. All California needs is fair treatment and a level playing field, and that’s why we have been forced to push back against this out-of-control administration at every turn.
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 Constitution is clear: states administer elections, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect the fundamental right to vote and ensure our democracy is fair, accessible, and secure.
I do not support efforts that make it harder for eligible Americans to vote. Proposals that require Americans to provide original birth certificates or passports in order to vote are a step too far because they risk disenfranchising rightfully eligible voters without meaningfully improving election security.
In California, we’ve shown that you can protect both voting access and election integrity at the same time through proven systems like voter registration verification, secure mail-in voting, and robust auditing.
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.)
We need to move away from the needless and ineffective cruelty of ICE and CBP under this administration that does nothing to keep our communities safe, and has led to chaos and the tragic killings of multiple Americans. I will not support giving ICE another cent until there has been wholesale reform. That means no masks, clear identification, warrants to enter homes and adherence to due process.
We also need commonsense immigration reform that builds a fair and orderly system, and benefits Americans and helps to grow our economy. That includes a timely and effective asylum process and a path forward for long-standing members of our communities who have been following the law and paying taxes, like DACA recipients, which is why I am a sponsor of the Dream and Promise Act.
We can secure our border and have an immigration system that works, but Congress has to choose to do its job and pass legislation rather than letting the Trump administration create ever greater chaos.
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.)
Republicans hold the presidency and the majority in both Houses of Congress, and they have refused to hold a vote on disaster aid. I have implored my Republican colleagues to get their leadership to put a disaster aid bill on the floor, not only to support California, but also for North Carolina and other states that have suffered major disasters. The refusal of President Trump and Speaker Johnson to come to the aid of fellow Americans, as we have routinely done in the past, is a further stain on their leadership.
I’ve also worked to cut through red tape with my bipartisan Don’t Penalize Victims Act, which would simplify the recovery process for survivors. I’m proud that my bill is progressing in the House. In addition, I’ve secured federal investments to help us prepare for and prevent future disasters, including over $1 million to modernize our emergency response communications systems.
At the end of the day, this isn’t complicated. Families are still trying to rebuild their lives. The federal government needs to do its part, and I’m going to keep pushing until it does.
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.)
Yes, I support a ban on members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children trading individual stocks. I am a sponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act, which would require members to divest from individual stocks or place their assets into a true blind trust.
People deserve to know that their elected officials are making decisions based on what’s best for the country, not what’s best for their own portfolios. This is about restoring trust, strengthening accountability, and making sure our government works for the people it represents.
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.)
I’ve spent my career as an elected official fighting for cleaner air and water for our families. As an Assemblymember, I authored and passed legislation to reduce climate pollution from buildings by 40% by 2030, helped phase out single-use plastics, and cracked down on toxic chemicals in consumer products like makeup, shampoo, children’s clothing and the mattresses that we all sleep on.
In Congress, I’m fighting to continue investments in clean energy to lower costs for families. Those investments in clean energy, modern infrastructure, and efficiency don’t just reduce emissions but over time, save money and create good-paying jobs.
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.)
The Trump administration is asking for $200 billion for war in Iran while they refuse to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits to lower healthcare costs, or invest here at home to lower housing and energy prices. Those are simply the wrong priorities. I will always work to ensure that we have the resources we need to protect Americans and defend our nation; however, I will not vote for additional money for more endless wars of choice, which do not make Americans safer.
Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
To defend American lives, and the lives and nations of our allies who are pledged to come to our defense when we are attacked.
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 is clear that the ability to declare war is in the hands of Congress. We need to reassert Congress’s constitutional role, and demand transparency, set clear goals, and ensure there is a strategy for ending any conflict. When presidents act without the support of the people’s representatives, they too often have drawn Americans into conflicts without end that cost American lives and do not serve our interests.
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.)
No, Republican congressional leadership has completely failed to provide necessary oversight of the Trump administration. They have allowed massive corruption and allowed ICE and CBP to kill American citizens and violate the rights of Americans with impunity.
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.)
As the mom of a 12-year-old, I am very concerned about the effects of social media on children. Clearly, social media has allowed for valuable human connections, technological innovations, and for American businesses to reach customers around the world; however, there have been many concerning effects on children. I support responsible action to preserve childhood and prevent harm to kids. In the same way that we have instituted graduated driver’s licenses, we could allow kids to enter into social media use over a period of time during their teen years.
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.)
I understand the concerns that Californians have, and I am working in Congress to ensure every Angeleno can feel safe in our communities. I have introduced legislation to fund new police officers and safety infrastructure for transit agencies, and have brought back millions of dollars in federal funding to local agencies and cities to improve police response and communications. We can have both high standards for the conduct of our officers and safe communities, and Congress has a role to play in both setting those standards and in ensuring cities have the resources they need to appropriately staff their local agencies.
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.)
No, voters deserve the right to vote for the candidate of their choice. They have the ability to change their members of Congress every two years, and should have the right to retain their member if they so choose.
What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I’m not a bad pool player.