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Candidate

Pete Sessions

Republican · Incumbent

U.S. Representative, Texas District 17

Pete Sessions, a Waco native, was first elected to Congress in 1996 and now represents Texas's 17th District, where he chairs the Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations and serves on Financial Services10. He chaired the House Rules Committee from 2013 to 2019 and the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 through 201210. Before Congress he worked 16 years for Southwestern Bell10.

Where they stand 24 issues · tap any issue for the evidence

  • ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadyhigh
    Said · high confidence
    • Voted against the American Dream and Promise Act, which offered a path to citizenship for Dreamers. (2021-03-18) source
    • Voted against the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which offered legal status to long-time farmworkers. (2021-03-18) source
    • Voted for the Secure the Border Act, which funded border wall construction, tightened asylum rules and required E-Verify. (2023-05-11) source
    • Voted for the Secure America Act, which provides about $70 billion for immigration enforcement and border security through 2029. (2026-06-09) source
    • His campaign website says he wholeheartedly supports building the border wall and will push to reform immigration policies. (2026) source
    • His 2018 campaign website said he adamantly opposes blanket amnesty and that reform must first secure the border, strengthen interior enforcement and deport criminal aliens. (2018) source
  • MarijuanaKeep it illegalmedium
    Official action · medium confidence
    • Voted against the MORE Act, which would legalize marijuana federally and clear past convictions. (2022-04-01) source
    • Co-led a letter from House Republicans urging President Trump to oppose any effort to reschedule marijuana under federal law and to keep it in Schedule I. (2025-12) source
  • HealthcareMostly private market; roll back the government's rolemedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Voted for the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which expanded association health plans and required drug middleman (PBM) price transparency. (2025-12-17) source
    • Voted against restoring the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years. (2026-01-08) source
    • His House website says greater federal involvement in health care has failed and calls for patient-centered, market-based solutions. (2026) source
    • Sponsored the Health Care Equality and Modernization Act of 2022, which would repeal the requirement that large employers offer affordable coverage, and the Healthcare Fairness for ALL Act, which would create universal health insurance tax credits and reformed health savings accounts. (2023) source
  • Energy and climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which used tax credits and incentives to speed a shift to cleaner energy. (2022-08-12) source
    • Voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act, which expanded oil, gas and mineral production and sped up permits for energy projects. (2023-03-30) source
    • His House website says the U.S. should use domestic resources to become energy independent while supporting private investment in alternative fuels. (2026) source
    • Sponsored the POWER Act of 2023, which would require congressional approval before federal agencies block or substantially delay new oil, gas, coal or mineral leases on federal lands. (2023) source
  • Business regulationCut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rulesmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • His House website says free markets should have as few regulations as possible while still protecting consumers and investors. (2026) source
    • Introduced the RED TAPE Act (H.R. 572), which would bar federal agencies from relying on non-monetized factors in regulatory cost-benefit analyses. (2025-01-21) source
  • Term limitsYes, strict limits, such as three House terms and two Senate termsmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • U.S. Term Limits lists him as a signer of its pledge to cosponsor and vote for a constitutional amendment limiting House members to three terms and senators to two terms. (2026-07) source
    • The pledge text commits signers to a limit of three two-year House terms and two six-year Senate terms. (2024) source
  • Safety net programsKeep them, but add work requirements for able-bodied adultsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which expanded aid for childcare, housing and paid family leave. (2021-11-19) source
    • Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which added work requirements for able-bodied adults on Medicaid and expanded SNAP work requirements. (2025-07-03) source
  • Income taxesCut taxes across the board, including for top earners and corporationsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which set a 15% minimum tax on large corporations to help pay for energy and health programs. (2022-08-12) source
    • Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made the 2017 individual tax cuts permanent, including the 37% top rate, and extended business tax breaks. (2025-07-03) source
  • Transgender athletesNo, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwidemedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basing girls' and women's school sports eligibility on sex at birth. (2023-04-20) source
    • Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basing girls' and women's school sports eligibility on sex at birth. (2025-01-14) source
  • E-Verify mandateRequire it for all employersmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted for the Secure the Border Act, which would require all employers to use E-Verify. (2023-05-11) source
  • Mandatory minimumsAdd or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2023-05-25) source
    • Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2025-06-12) source
  • Student loansCap borrowing, simplify repayment, and skip broad forgivenessmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted to overturn the Biden administration's broad student loan debt cancellation. (2023-06-21) source
    • Voted to overturn the SAVE income-driven repayment plan, which lowered payments and sped up forgiveness. (2023-12-07) source
  • Aid to IsraelKeep full aid without new conditionsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted for the $26 billion Israel security supplemental with no new conditions on weapons use. (2024-04-20) source
    • Voted for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which would require delivery of weapons to Israel that the administration had paused. (2024-05-16) source
  • Politicians trading stocksNo, ban it for members and their spousesmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, which bars members of Congress, their spouses and dependents from buying new individual stocks. (2026-07-22) source
  • AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
    Said · low confidence
    • Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability. (2021-09-24) source
    • Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability. (2022-07-15) source
    • His campaign website describes him as a pro-life conservative. (2026) source
    • Was an original cosponsor of, and voted for, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 26). (2023-01) source
  • China policyNo single answer fitsmedium
    Official action · medium confidence
    • Joined in reintroducing the FARM Act to add agriculture oversight to federal reviews of foreign investment, and said Chinese Communist Party-backed ownership of U.S. farmland poses a national security risk. (2025-01-22) source
  • Aid to UkraineNo single answer fitsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted against the $40 billion Ukraine aid package in May 2022. (2022-05-10) source
    • Voted for the $61 billion Ukraine security supplemental in April 2024. (2024-04-20) source
    • Voted against the Ukraine Support Act, which provides military aid to Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia. (2026-06-04) source
  • RedistrictingNo single answer fitslow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted against the For the People Act, which would require independent redistricting commissions. (2021-03-03) source
  • Campaign financeNo single answer fitslow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted against the For the People Act, which created public matching funds for campaigns and stricter donor disclosure. (2021-03-03) source
  • Qualified immunityNo single answer fitslow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would end qualified immunity for police officers. (2021-03-03) source
  • Childcare and pre-KNo single answer fitslow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which funded free universal pre-K and expanded childcare aid. (2021-11-19) source
  • Paid leaveNo single answer fitslow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which created a national paid family and medical leave program. (2021-11-19) source
  • Drug pricesNo single answer fitslow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap insulin costs at $35 a month. (2022-03-31) source
  • GunsNo single answer fitslow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. (2022-07-29) source

No public position found on: National debt, Social Security, Minimum wage, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Judges, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, DEI programs, Religion in schools.

Record

  • First elected to the U.S. House in 199610.
  • Chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 through 2012 and the House Rules Committee from 2013 to 201910.
  • His office says he sponsored the Border Tunnel Task Force Act, which passed in 2018, and the Family Opportunity Act, which became law in 200610.
  • Won the Republican nomination for the 17th District without opposition on March 3, 202611.

Who funds this campaign

Official reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

$1,050,237raised
$557,216spent
$933,956cash on hand

Cash on hand includes money left over from the campaign's earlier races, so it can be more than raised minus spent.

Where the money came from

  • People who gaveincluding $3,848 in gifts under $200$498,753
  • PACs and other political committees$516,176
  • The candidate's own money and loans$10

Largest contributions from PACs and parties

As named in the filings, net of any refunds. Joint fundraising transfers are counted in the totals above.

  1. AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR PACPAC$15,000
  2. DEMOCRACY ENGINE, PACPAC$11,520
  3. ERNST & YOUNG PACPAC$10,000
  4. UBS AMERICAS INC PACPAC$10,000
  5. BUCKEYE LIBERTY PACPAC$10,000
  6. NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION PACPAC$10,000
  7. NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION PACPAC$10,000
  8. ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION PACPAC$10,000
  9. DELL TECHNOLOGIES PACPAC$8,500
  10. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS PACPAC$8,500

Gifts from individual people are listed by name in the full filings. See every report on FEC.gov. Numbers updated October 5, 2026; we add no labels or judgments to any donor.

Last reviewed 2026-10-19. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.

Sources (41)

Every claim on this page links to one of these
  1. IssuesPete Sessions for Congress
  2. Pete Sessions (campaign website archives)Ballotpedia
  3. Congressman Sessions Co-Leads Letter to President Trump Strongly Urging Him to Reject Marijuana ReschedulingOffice of Rep. Pete Sessions
  4. HealthcareOffice of Rep. Pete Sessions
  5. Energy IndependenceOffice of Rep. Pete Sessions
  6. Free EnterpriseOffice of Rep. Pete Sessions
  7. The U.S. Term Limits Pledge Signers, 119th CongressU.S. Term Limits
  8. U.S. Term Limits Amendment PledgeU.S. Term Limits
  9. Rep. Jackson Reintroduces Legislation to Protect Agricultural Industry from Foreign InterferenceOffice of Rep. Ronny Jackson
  10. About Congressman SessionsOffice of Rep. Pete Sessions
  11. Casey Shepard (election results for Texas District 17)Ballotpedia
  12. House roll call: Voted against the For the People Act, which would require independent redistrictOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  13. House roll call: Voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would end qualifieOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  14. House roll call: Voted against the American Dream and Promise Act, which offered a path to citizeOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  15. House roll call: Voted against the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which offered legal status tOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  16. House roll call: Voted for the Secure the Border Act, which funded border wall construction, tighOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  17. House roll call: Voted for the Secure America Act, which provides about $70 billion for immigratiOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  18. House roll call: Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, which would protect abortion acOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  19. House roll call: Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022, which would protect aboOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  20. House roll call: Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which expanded aid for childcare, housiOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  21. House roll call: Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which added work requirements for ableOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  22. House roll call: Voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap insulin costs at $Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  23. House roll call: Voted against the MORE Act, which would legalize marijuana federally and clear pOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  24. House roll call: Voted against the $40 billion Ukraine aid package in May 2022.Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  25. House roll call: Voted for the $61 billion Ukraine security supplemental in April 2024.Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  26. House roll call: Voted against the Ukraine Support Act, which provides military aid to Ukraine anOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  27. House roll call: Voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  28. House roll call: Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which set a 15% minimum tax on large Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  29. House roll call: Voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act, which expanded oil, gas and mineral producOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  30. House roll call: Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basingOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  31. House roll call: Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basingOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  32. House roll call: Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related sOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  33. House roll call: Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related sOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  34. House roll call: Voted to overturn the Biden administration's broad student loan debt cancellatioOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  35. House roll call: Voted to overturn the SAVE income-driven repayment plan, which lowered payments Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  36. House roll call: Voted for the $26 billion Israel security supplemental with no new conditions onOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  37. House roll call: Voted for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which would require deliveOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  38. House roll call: Voted for the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which expanded aOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  39. House roll call: Voted against restoring the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits forOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  40. House roll call: Voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, which bars members of Congress, their spOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
  41. H.R. 572, Regulations Evaluated to Determine The Anticipated Price and Effect Act (RED TAPE Act), introduced textU.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo)