Ahead of the November general 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.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Mike Garcia
Current job title: Member of Congress
Political party affiliation: Republican
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Santa Clarita
Campaign website or social media: electmikegarcia.com
Californians will decide on a proposition this November that would scale back some of Proposition 47, a 2014 voter-approved measure that reduced penalties for certain theft and drug offenses. What is one way the federal government could help states like California balance criminal justice reform with enforcing the law? (Please be specific with your proposal, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
California’s crime spike is a direct result of failed Sacramento policies like Prop 47, Prop 57, and AB 109, which have given criminals a free pass and made our communities less safe. These radical laws reduce penalties for serious offenses and let repeat offenders continue to threaten our neighborhoods.
At the federal level, I’ve been working to secure critical funding for law enforcement, making sure they have the resources they need to protect our families and enforce the law. Additionally, I’m pushing legislation that holds violent criminals accountable, especially those who target law enforcement – like what happened right here in our district when Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was brutally murdered last year.
I’ve also called for DA Gascon’s resignation for years, and I’ve fought back against his complete failure to enforce the law and keep violent criminals out of our neighborhoods.
Our failed state laws need reform, but if we’re going to restore neighborhood security in California, those efforts must be paired with strong federal support for law enforcement and real consequences for crime. And I’m committed to the fight to keep our community safe.
Recent efforts to expand the federal deduction for state and local taxes, called SALT, have failed. What changes would you like to see, if any, to SALT? (Please keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
For years, I’ve said that the SALT deduction cap unfairly punishes hardworking Californians, forcing them to pay higher taxes simply because of their zip code.
That’s why I’m leading the bipartisan effort to fully repeal the SALT deduction cap. Removing this cap will provide much-needed relief to families and allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money. Local families are already dealing with years of record inflation and some of the highest taxes in the nation, so this is an especially important issue for hardworking Californians.
I’ve introduced the SALT Fairness Act in Congress to solve this problem for local families, and this issue remains one of my top priorities. I remain committed to working with members of both parties until the job is done. Repealing the SALT deduction cap is about fairness and tax relief for the families who need it most, and it remains a focus for me in Congress.
President Joe Biden has called for an overhaul of the U.S. Supreme Court, including mandatory ethics rules. What reforms, if any, do you believe the Supreme Court needs, and how would they be enforced? (Please be specific with your proposal, and keep your answer to 250 words or less.)
I believe that all public officials should be held to the highest ethical standards, but far too many politicians seek to use an overhaul of the Court as a blatant political power grab. I believe that the Constitution has it right, and that we cannot simply throw out the rules because they don’t favor our political agenda. The radical left has sought to pack the Supreme Court with activist justices for years. Making radical changes to our systems of government for political purposes sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the foundational checks and balances our Constitution provides.
The Supreme Court’s role is to interpret the law, not cater to the whims of politicians. Our Founders set up a system that prioritizes judicial independence, ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful. Attempts to overhaul the Court for political gain disregard this vision and threaten the balance of power that has protected our nation for over 200 years.
Instead of overhauling the Court, we should focus on ensuring that the Constitution is upheld, our public officials are held to high ethical standards, and that no political party manipulates our system to consolidate power. The Constitution already provides a system to ensure judicial independence, and we should respect that process rather than dismantling it.
We need to protect our Constitution—not throw it away for political purposes.
Should there be an age limit imposed on presidential candidates? What about Congress or Senate? If so, what is that limit?
I believe that voters are smart and capable of making the right decisions when they are given the full facts. The beauty of our democracy is that it allows voters to choose their leaders, including the President, based on their judgment, experience, and character.
This isn’t an age issue, it’s a cognitive ability issue – I would support an unbiased cognitive test – and a transparency issue. When the facts are out in the open, the system works as it’s designed to. What we can’t afford is politicians and members of the media hiding information or refusing to give voters the opportunity to make informed decisions about the candidates they want to represent them.
Would you support legislation that protects women’s access to in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments nationwide? Why or why not? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit your response to 200 words.)
I would support legislation to ensure families have the option of IVF. IVF helps countless Americans become parents and enjoy the blessing of children, and the government shouldn’t stand in the way of that. I’m flatly opposed to any efforts to restrict this crucial option.
The Republican Party’s platform, following the summer convention, calls for the “largest deportation effort in American history.” Is this something you support? If so, what would such an effort look like? If not, how would you assuage concerns about border security? (Please be specific in your response, and keep it to 250 words or less.)
There is no denying that the crisis at our border has spiraled out of control. I firmly believe that border security is paramount to ensuring the safety of our communities. The Biden-Harris Administration’s complete failure at our border has led to an influx of suspected terrorists and violent criminals crossing into the U.S. and victimizing American citizens. This is a grave national security threat, and we need immediate action to strengthen our border and ensure that anyone entering our country is thoroughly vetted.
I am committed to supporting any necessary measures that will secure our border and end the flow of millions of unvetted illegal immigrants into the U.S. Right now, California is spending billions of taxpayer dollars on free taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants — such as free healthcare – and has even proposed handing out $150,000 for down payments on homes. All while hardworking families in our district struggle to make ends meet due to rising inflation and the high cost of living.
At the end of the day, we must prioritize the safety and security of American families, enforce our laws, and ensure that those seeking to enter our country do so legally. I will continue to fight for strong border security and common-sense policies that put the needs of American families first.
Cost of living is high on the list of concerns among voters, particularly among younger people. What is one bipartisan proposal you have to alleviate concerns about high prices or cost of living? (Please be specific in your response, and limit it to 200 words.)
One of the top concerns for all Californians is the skyrocketing cost of living, and addressing this starts with curbing the record inflation we’ve seen over the past 3.5 years. That’s why I introduced the Inflation Prevention Act to stop reckless government spending that drives inflation and pushes prices higher for everyone. Additionally, I’ve fought for a Balanced Budget Amendment to ensure fiscal responsibility in Washington and prevent further irresponsible government spending that puts an incredible strain on local families.
These are common-sense policies that shouldn’t be political. By focusing on controlling inflation and ensuring responsible government spending, we can help lower the cost of living for families across the board. I’m committed to working across the aisle to get measures like these passed because no matter what party you’re in, ensuring families can afford their rent, groceries, and basic necessities should be a priority for all of us.
Californians continue to point to housing affordability as one of their top concerns. What is something the federal government could do to lessen the financial burden people feel, whether that’s with renting or buying a house? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit it to 200 words or less.)
In the past few years, housing costs and interest rates have hit record highs as wages have stagnated. This is largely due to the inflationary impact of reckless government spending, which has sent the cost of living—especially prices for essentials like housing, groceries, and gas—through the roof. I have worked tirelessly to end inflation and bring down these costs through efforts like the Inflation Prevention Act and my continued push for a Balanced Budget Amendment.
In addition to tackling inflation, we must also remove the layers of government red tape that make it so expensive to build new housing in California. The high costs of construction, lengthy approval processes, and burdensome regulations have stifled housing growth, limiting supply and pushing prices up even higher. By streamlining regulations and encouraging investment in affordable housing, we can grow the housing supply and provide more affordable opportunities for families to rent or buy a home. This is critical for working families trying to make ends meet in our communities.
What do you see the federal government’s role as in helping local municipalities tackle homelessness? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit it to 200 words or less.)
Homelessness is largely a problem of mental health and addiction, and the federal government must play a key role in helping local municipalities address this crisis. For too long, Sacramento politicians have wasted billions of taxpayer dollars while allowing the homeless to suffer on our streets. We need to invest in mental health services and addiction recovery programs that provide real solutions.
I’m focused on ensuring that federal resources are directed toward programs that help the homeless get the care and treatment they need, so they can get off the streets and begin to rebuild their lives. This includes supporting funding for mental health and addiction resources that prioritize rehabilitation over simply moving people from one encampment to another.
By addressing the root causes of the crisis—addiction and mental illness—we can not only reduce homelessness but also improve public safety and quality of life in our communities. This approach is more compassionate and effective than ignoring the issue or expecting the politicians in Sacramento to handle it on their own.
After Tesla chief executive Elon Musk shared an AI-generated video purporting to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ voice, Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to enact legislation to make it illegal to manipulate someone’s voice in an ad. What is something the federal government could do to protect people from deep-fakes, or false AI-generated images, videos and audio? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
Deepfake attacks are a brutal invasion of privacy, and right now, victims are powerless. That’s why I’ve co-sponsored the Defiance Act to arm people with the tools to fight back and take down the predators behind these disgusting crimes.
What is one local infrastructure project you would push to secure funds for in the federal budget? (Please be specific in your answer.)
One major local infrastructure issue that I am focused on solving is the Chiquita Canyon Landfill and the environmental and health concerns related to the noxious fumes and contaminated runoff affecting nearby communities. Ensuring proper management and remediation of the landfill is crucial for safeguarding public health and the local environment, and I have been fighting at the federal level to deliver solutions to mitigate these issues for local residents. Additionally, I will continue to fight for investments in the 5 and 14 freeways, which are vital for the many District 27 residents who commute into Los Angeles daily. Improved infrastructure on these highways will ease congestion, enhance safety, and support our local economy.
What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected? (Please be specific with your policy proposal, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
One of the most pressing issues facing our district is the ever-present threat of wildfires. Recently, I passed a bill aimed at investing in modern technology for our firefighters, including advanced forecasting tools and efficient communication systems. I’ve also fought to pass legislation that focuses on proactive measures to prevent wildfires, such as improved forest management and early detection systems. I will continue my fight to find more bipartisan solutions to improve wildfire prevention and response. By equipping our first responders with cutting-edge resources and implementing comprehensive fire prevention strategies, we can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of wildfires, protecting both local residents and their homes.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone
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