Sylvia Garcia
U.S. House Texas District 29
Tenure
Term ends
Years in position
Predecessor
Prior offices
Texas State Senate District 6
Elections and appointments
Contact
Sylvia Garcia (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Texas' 29th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2019. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Garcia (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 29th Congressional District. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. She advanced from the Democratic primary on March 5, 2024.
Biography
Sylvia Garcia was born in Palito Blanco, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in social work and political science from Texas Woman's University and a J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Garcia’s career experience includes working as a social worker and a legal aid lawyer. She served as director and presiding judge of the Houston Municipal System. Garcia was elected city controller in Houston and the Harris County Commissioner's Court. She served in the Texas State Senate, representing District 6, from 2013 to 2018. She was first elected to the chamber in a special election on March 2, 2013.[1]
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2021-2022
Garcia was assigned to the following committees:[Source]
2019-2020
Garcia was assigned to the following committees:[Source]
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Garcia served on the following committees:
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Garcia served on the following committees:
- See also: Key votes
Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.
Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023
The 118th United States Congress began on January 3, 2023, at which point Republicans held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-212), and Democrats held the majority in the U.S. Senate (51-49). Joe Biden (D) was the president and Kamala Harris (D) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.
| Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023
|
| Vote
|
Bill and description
|
Status
|
 Yea |
| National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 | |
|---|
| The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 22, 2023, authorizing Department of Defense activities and programs for fiscal year 2024. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to pass the bill as amended by a Senate and House conference report.[2] |
|
|
Passed (310-118)
|
 Nay |
| To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes. | |
|---|
| H.R. 185 (To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes.) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to nullify a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order restricting the entry of foreign citizens to the United States unless the individual was vaccinated against the coronavirus or attested they would take public health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[3] |
|
|
Passed (227-201)
|
| Nay |
| Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 | |
|---|
| The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (H.R. 2811) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to raise the federal debt limit before a June 5, 2023, deadline. The bill also sought to repeal certain green energy tax credits, increase domestic natural gas and oil production, expand work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and nullify President Joe Biden's (D) proposed student loan debt cancellation program. This bill was not taken up in the Senate, and the debt limit was instead raised through the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[4] |
|
|
Passed (217-215)
|
| Nay |
| Denouncing the horrors of socialism. | |
|---|
| H.Con.Res. 9 (Denouncing the horrors of socialism.) was a resolution approved by the House of Representatives denouncing socialism and opposing the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[5] |
|
|
Passed (328-86)
|
| Nay |
| Lower Energy Costs Act | |
|---|
| The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to increase domestic energy production and exports by increasing the production of oil, natural gas, and coal, reducing permitting restrictions for pipelines, refineries, and other energy projects, and increase the production of minerals used in electronics, among other energy production-related policies. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[6] |
|
|
Passed (225-204)
|
| Nay |
| Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights". | |
|---|
| H.J.Res. 30 (Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights".) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the 118th Congress and vetoed by President Joe Biden (D) on March 20, 2023. This was Biden's first veto of his presidency. The resolution sought to nullify a Department of Labor rule that amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow retirement plans to consider certain environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in investment-related decisions. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[7] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (219-200)
|
| Nay |
| Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020. | |
|---|
|
|
Passed (229-197)
|
| Nay |
| Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 | |
|---|
| The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on June 3, 2023. The bill raised the federal debt limit until January 2025. The bill also capped non-defense spending in fiscal year 2024, rescinded unspent coronavirus relief funding, rescinded some Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding, enhanced work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF), simplified environmental reviews for energy projects, and ended the student loan debt repayment pause in August 2023. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[9] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (314-117)
|
| Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) |
| Speaker of the House election (January 2023) - 15th vote | |
|---|
| In January 2023, the House of Representatives held its regular election for Speaker of the House at the start of the 118th Congress. Voting began on January 3, and ended on January 7. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was elected speaker of the House in a 216-212 vote during the 15th round of voting. In order to elect a Speaker of the House, a majority of votes cast for a person by name was required.[10] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) (216-212)
|
| Yea |
| Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant. | |
|---|
| H.Res. 757 (Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that removed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his position as Speaker of the House. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[11] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (216-210)
|
| Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) |
| Speaker of the House election (October 2023) - 4th vote | |
|---|
| In October 2023, following Rep. Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) removal as Speaker of the House, the House of Representatives held another election for the position. Voting began on October 17 and ended on October 25. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected Speaker of the House in a 220-209 vote in the fourth round of voting. In order to elect a Speaker of the House, a majority of votes cast for a person by name was required.[12] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) (220-209)
|
| Nay |
| Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes. | |
|---|
| H.Res. 918 (Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that formally authorized an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden (D). The inquiry focused on allegations that Biden used his influence as vice president from 2009 to 2017 to improperly profit from his son Hunter Biden's business dealings. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[13] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (221-212)
|
| Yea |
| Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives. | |
|---|
| H.Res. 878 (Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that removed Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from office following a House Ethics Committee investigation that determined there was substantial evidence that Santos violated the law during his 2020 and 2022 campaigns. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[14] |
|
|
Passed (311-114)
|
Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress
| Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract) |
|---|
Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023
The 117th United States Congress began on January 3, 2021 and ended on January 3, 2023. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-213), and the U.S. Senate had a 50-50 makeup. Democrats assumed control of the Senate on January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D), who acted as a tie-breaking vote in the chamber, assumed office. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.
| Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023
|
| Vote
|
Bill and description
|
Status
|
| Yea |
| Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act | |
|---|
| The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) was a federal infrastructure bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on November 15, 2021. Among other provisions, the bill provided funding for new infrastructure projects and reauthorizations, Amtrak maintenance and development, bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, clean drinking water, high-speed internet, and clean energy transmission and power infrastructure upgrades. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[15] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (228-206)
|
| Yea |
| American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 | |
|---|
| The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on March 11, 2021, to provide economic relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key features of the bill included funding for a national vaccination program and response, funding to safely reopen schools, distribution of $1,400 per person in relief payments, and extended unemployment benefits. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[16] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (220-210)
|
| Yea |
| Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 | |
|---|
| The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 16, 2022, to address climate change, healthcare costs, and tax enforcement. Key features of the bill included a $369 billion investment to address energy security and climate change, an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, allowing Medicare to negotiate certain drug prices, a 15% corporate minimum tax, a 1% stock buyback fee, and enhanced Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement, and an estimated $300 billion deficit reduction from 2022-2031. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[17] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (220-207)
|
| Yea |
| Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act | |
|---|
| The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (H.R. 3617) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to decriminalize marijuana, establish studies of legal marijuana sales, tax marijuana imports and production, and establish a process to expunge and review federal marijuana offenses. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[18] |
|
|
Passed (220-204)
|
| Yea |
| For the People Act of 2021 | |
|---|
| The For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1) was a federal election law and government ethics bill approved by the House of Representatives. The Congressional Research Service said the bill would "expand voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It [would also limit] removing voters from voter rolls. ... Further, the bill [would address] campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices." The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[19] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (220-210)
|
| Yea |
| Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 | |
|---|
| The Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives that sought to criminalize the knowing import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFD). The bill made exemptions for grandfathered SAWs and LCAFDs. It required a simple majority vote in the House.[20] |
|
|
Passed (217-213)
|
| Yea |
| National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 | |
|---|
| The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (S. 1605) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 27, 2021, authorizing Department of Defense acitivities and programs for fiscal year 2022. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[21] |
|
|
Passed (363-70)
|
| Yea |
| James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
|---|
| The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 7776) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 23, 2022, authorizing Department of Defense activities and programs for fiscal year 2023. The bill required a 2/3 majority in the House to suspend rules and pass the bill as amended.[22] |
|
|
Passed (350-80)
|
| Yea |
| American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 | |
|---|
| The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6) was an immigration bill approved by the House of Representatives that proposed a path to permanent residence status for unauthorized immigrants eligible for Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure, among other immigration-related proposals. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[23] |
|
|
Passed (228-197)
|
| Yea |
| Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 | |
|---|
| The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (S. 3373) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 10, 2022, that sought to address healthcare access, the presumption of service-connection, and research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[24] |
|
|
Passed (342-88)
|
| Yea |
| Chips and Science Act | |
|---|
| The Chips and Science Act (H.R. 4346) was a bill approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 9, 2022, which sought to fund domestic production of semiconductors and authorized various federal science agency programs and activities. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[25] |
|
|
Passed (243-187)
|
| Yea |
| Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021 | |
|---|
| The Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives. The bill proposed prohibiting governmental restrictions on the provision of and access to abortion services and prohibiting governments from issuing some other abortion-related restrictions. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[26] |
|
|
Passed (218-211)
|
| Yea |
| SAFE Banking Act of 2021 | |
|---|
| The SAFE Banking Act of 2021 (H.R. 1996) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives that proposed prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing banks for providing services to legitimate cannabis-related businesses and defining proceeds from such transactions as not being proceeds from unlawful activity, among other related proposals. Since the House moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill in an expedited process, it required a two-thirds majority vote in the House.[27] |
|
|
Passed (321-101)
|
| Yea |
| Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 | |
|---|
| The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on March 15, 2022, providing for the funding of federal agencies for the remainder of 2022, providing funding for activities related to Ukraine, and modifying or establishing various programs. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[28] |
|
|
Passed (260-171)
|
| Yea |
| Equality Act | |
|---|
| The Equality Act (H.R. 5) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that proposed prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system, among other related proposals. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[29] |
|
|
Passed (224-206)
|
| Yea |
| Respect for Marriage Act | |
|---|
| The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 13, 2022. The bill codified the recognition of marriages between individuals of the same sex and of different races, ethnicities, or national origins, and provided that the law would not impact religious liberty or conscience protections, or provide grounds to compel nonprofit religious organizations to recognize same-sex marriages. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[30] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (258-169)
|
| Yea |
| Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 | |
|---|
| The Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 6833) was a bill approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on September 30, 2022. It provided for some fiscal year 2023 appropriations, supplemental funds for Ukraine, and extended several other programs and authorities. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[31] |
|
|
Passed (230-201)
|
| Yea |
| Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act | |
|---|
| The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act (H.R. 7688) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to prohibit individuals from selling consumer fuels at excessive prices during a proclaimed energy emergency. It would have also required the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the price of gasoline was being manipulated. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[32] |
|
|
Passed (217-207)
|
| Yea |
| Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 | |
|---|
| The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. 8) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to prohibit the transfer of firearms between private parties unless a licensed firearm vendor conducted a background check on the recipient. The bill also provided for certain exceptions to this requirement. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[33] |
|
|
Passed (227-203)
|
| Yea |
| Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act | |
|---|
| The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act was a federal elections bill approved by the House of Representatives and voted down by the Senate in a failed cloture vote that sought to, among other provisions, make Election Day a public holiday, allow for same-day voter registration, establish minimum early voting periods, and allow absentee voting for any reason, restrict the removal of local election administrators in federal elections, regulate congressional redistricting, expand campaign finance disclosure rules for some organizations, and amend the Voting Rights Act to require some states to obtain clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice before implementing new election laws. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[34] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (220-203)
|
| Yea |
| Bipartisan Safer Communities Act | |
|---|
| The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938) was a firearm regulation and mental health bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on June 25, 2022. Provisions of the bill included expanding background checks for individuals under the age of 21, providing funding for mental health services, preventing individuals who had been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor or felony in dating relationships from purchasing firearms for five years, providing funding for state grants to implement crisis intervention order programs, and providing funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[35] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (234-193)
|
| Yea |
| Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. | |
|---|
| This was a resolution before the 117th Congress setting forth an article of impeachment saying that Donald Trump (R) incited an insurrection against the government of the United States on January 6, 2021. The House of Representatives approved the article of impeachment, and the Senate adjudged that Trump was not guilty of the charges. The article of impeachment required a simple majority vote in the House.[36] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (232-197)
|
| Yea |
| Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 | |
|---|
| The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act was a bill passed by the 117th Congress in the form of an amendment to a year-end omnibus funding bill that was signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 23, 2022. The bill changed the procedure for counting electoral votes outlined in the Electoral Count Act of 1887. Elements of the bill included specifying that the vice president's role at the joint session of congress to count electoral votes is ministerial, raising the objection threshold at the joint session of congress to count electoral votes to one-fifth of the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, identifying governors as the single official responsible for submitting the certificate of ascertainment identifying that state’s electors, and providing for expedited judicial review of certain claims about states' certificates identifying their electors. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[37] Click here to read more. |
|
|
Passed (225-201)
|
Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2020
|
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2024
Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Republican primary)
Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Democratic primary)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Republican primary runoff election
Democratic primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary runoff election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
2020
See also: Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2020
Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Democratic primary)
Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Republican primary)
General election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Libertarian convention
2018
- See also: Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2018
General election
Republican primary runoff election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
Endorsements
2016
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[46]
Incumbent Sylvia Garcia ran unopposed in the Texas State Senate District 6 general election.[47]
| Texas State Senate, District 6 General Election, 2016 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Democratic |
 Sylvia Garcia Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% |
119,891 |
| Total Votes |
119,891 |
| Source: Texas Secretary of State |
Incumbent Sylvia Garcia ran unopposed in the Texas State Senate District 6 Democratic Primary.[48][49]
| Texas State Senate, District 6 Democratic Primary, 2016 |
| Party |
Candidate |
| | Democratic | Sylvia Garcia Incumbent (unopposed) |
2013
- See also: State legislative special elections, 2013
Garcia won election in the special election for Texas State Senate District 6. The seat was vacant following Mario Gallegos's death in October 2012. Garcia faced Carol Alvarado (D), Joaquin Martinez (D), Susan Delgado (D), Rodolfo M. Reyes (D), R.W. Bray (R), Dorothy Marie Olmos (R) and Maria Selva (G) in the special election on January 26, 2013. The field of eight candidates was narrowed to two in the runoff election. Democrats Garcia and Carol Alvarado met in a runoff on March 2, which Garcia won.[50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57]
| Texas State Senate, District 6, Special Election Runoff, 2013 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Democratic |
Sylvia Garcia |
52.9% |
9,595 |
| |
Democratic |
Carol Alvarado |
47.1% |
8,546 |
| Total Votes |
18,141 |
| Texas State Senate, District 6, Special Election, 2013 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Democratic |
Sylvia Garcia |
45.4% |
7,424 |
| |
Democratic |
Carol Alvarado |
41.6% |
6,813 |
| |
Democratic |
Susan Delgado |
0.3% |
53 |
| |
Democratic |
Joaquin Martinez |
2.5% |
405 |
| |
Democratic |
Rodolfo M. Reyes |
0.8% |
125 |
| |
Republican |
R.W. Bray |
6.2% |
1,015 |
| |
Republican |
Dorothy Olmos |
2.8% |
461 |
| |
Green |
Maria Selva |
0.4% |
73 |
| Total Votes |
16,369 |
2024
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2022
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2020
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2018
The below campaign themes were taken from Garcia's 2018 campaign website.[58]
| “
|
Advocate for Women
Sylvia has been an advocate for women since her student days fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment. A strong legislative record supporting abortion access, quality health care for women, educational opportunity for all girls, and promoting women in leadership backs up a lifelong commitment to women and girls.
Senator Garcia worked with Representative Mary Gonzalez in the Texas Legislature to pass the bill that makes revenge porn a crime. And on countless occasions when it seemed hopeless to stop anti-woman and anti-abortion legislation, Senator Garcia was still a strong voice, not just a good vote, against the GOP’s extreme agenda.
Fighter for Transparency and Accountability
Taxes and government spending can be complicated. Sylvia Garcia prides herself on helping the general public understand how their tax dollars are spent since she was Houston City Controller. She’s worked across the aisle on stronger oversight and accountability for local taxing entities. And she’s not afraid to get down into the details of complicated budgets to see if her constituents benefit or just a lucky few friends of those in power. She held strong and voted against the last budget passed by the Texas Senate because it did little to help public education or access to healthcare for people. Instead, it put additional pressure on local governments. The Houston Chronicle said of the vote, “Sylvia Garcia voted against raising your property taxes. Every other Texas senator voted to hike 'em.”
An Equal Opportunity Economy
Good paying jobs and quality education are the pillars of Sylvia’s economic philosophy. Good paying jobs create security and opportunity today. Quality education for our children creates opportunity and security for tomorrow. Her broad support among union leaders reflects her staunch record for working families.
The Trump tax plan is an epic failure for the people of CD 29. We need real tax relief for working Americans that makes it easier for people to make ends meet, not a boondoggle for the president’s buddies and the super elite. Ending tax breaks for teachers who buy supplies for children but giving billionaires a tax cut is unconscionable.
Supporter of Equality
Sylvia is a strong and steady voice for equal rights in the halls of power. Senator Garcia’s record on human and civil rights has been recognized by many organizations over the course of her career. In 2017, she was honored by the Houston GLBT Political Caucus and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund among others. Her fight on behalf of trans Texans is second to none among Democratic senators, including introducing legislation that would make gender marker changes a predictable and clear civil process versus the current system that is uncertain, expensive and requires a lawyer and court proceedings.
Immigration Policy with a Heart
Senator Garcia doesn’t advocate on behalf of new Americans just because it’s politically convenient. She fights for fair immigration policy rooted in deeply held moral beliefs. And it shows. Sylvia was such an effective champion against the extreme right-wing attempt to license detention centers as state childcare facilities that her floor speech on these so-called baby jails made international news. She has fought the discriminatory and racial profiling SB 4 law since the very beginning. Her work on the floor was recognized in uniquely effective way – in the federal court decision that ruled the sanctuary cities law was discriminatory.[59]
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Notable endorsements
- See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Noteworthy events
Impeachment of President Donald Trump
- See also: Impeachment of Donald Trump
On February 5, 2020, President Donald Trump (R) was acquitted of abuse of power by a vote of 52-48 and obstruction of Congress by a vote of 53-47.[60]
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) first announced the House would pursue an inquiry into Trump on September 24, 2019, following allegations that Trump requested the Ukrainian government investigate former Vice President Joe Biden (D) and his son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for aid.[61]
Trump denied the allegations and called the inquiry "the worst witch hunt in political history."[62][63]
Following weeks of public hearings, the House voted to impeach Trump on December 18, 2019, charging him with abuse of power by a vote of 230-197 and obstruction of Congress by a vote of 229-198.[64] For a breakdown of the U.S. House votes by representative and party, click here.
On January 15, 2020, Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Garcia one of the seven managers responsible for presenting the case for impeachment of President Donald Trump to the Senate.[65] At the time, she had been a member of the House Judiciary Committee since 2019. Along with Jason Crow, Garcia was one of two freshmen representatives named a manager.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
- See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Texas
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Texas scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2018
In 2018, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Texas State Legislature was in its 85th legislative session from January 10 through May 29. A special session was held from July 18 to August 15.
- Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles.
- Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues.
- Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families.
- Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Texas State Legislature was in its 84th legislative session from January 13 through June 1.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- Legislators are scored based on votes on bills relating to abortion, common core, and sex trafficking.
- Conservative Roundtable: Senate and House - 2015 Conservative Solutions Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles.
- Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Equality Texas - Equality Texas rankings for the Texas House during the 84th legislative session
- Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues.
- Legislators are scored based on votes on social issues, economic issues, and other issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families.
- Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Mark P. Jones, chair of the Department of Political Science at Rice University, biennially ranks state representatives based on how liberal and conservative they are according to legislative history.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Texas State Legislature was in its 83rd legislative session from January 8 through May 27. Thirty minutes after the regular session ended, Governor Rick Perry called legislators back for a special session starting that evening.[66] Two additional called sessions were held from July 1 through July 30 and July 30 through August 5.[67]
- Legislators are scored based on votes on bills relating to abortion, common core, and sex trafficking.
- Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles.
- Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues.
- Equality Texas - Equality Texas rankings for the Texas House during the 83rd regular legislative session
- Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues.
- Legislators are scored based on votes for House Bill 2.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families.
- Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored based on votes relating to environment and conservation issues.
- Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Mark P. Jones, chair of the Department of Political Science at Rice University, biennially ranks state representatives based on how liberal and conservative they are according to legislative history.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored based on votes for Amendments 2, 12, 51, 95, and 118.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on conservative issues.
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See also
External links
- ↑ Sylvia Garcia for Congress, "Meet Sylvia Garcia," accessed February 18, 2018
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024," accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.185 - To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes." accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2811 - Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Con.Res.9 - Denouncing the horrors of socialism." accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - Lower Energy Costs Act," accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.30 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to 'Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights'." accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.7 - Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020." accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3746 - Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "Roll Call 20," accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.," accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "Roll Call 527," accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant." accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.878 - Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives." accessed February 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5376 - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3617 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1808 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.3373 - Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.4346 - Chips and Science Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2471 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.8404 - Respect for Marriage Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6833 - Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.7688 - Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5746 - Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.2938 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.24 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2617 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "New York Democrat Chuck Schumer endorses Tahir Javed in Houston race to replace U.S. Rep. Gene Green," February 21, 2018
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Tahir Javed 2018 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed February 23, 2018
- ↑ NARAL Pro-Choice America, "Candidates Earn Endorsement from Nation’s Leading Pro-Choice Advocacy Group," February 28, 2018
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Chron, "Sylvia Garcia picks up key endorsements in congressional race," January 15, 2018
- ↑ Email submission to Ballotpedia, February 12, 2018
- ↑ Houston Chronicle, "For the 29th District," February 5, 2018
- ↑ League of Conservation Voters, "LCV Action Fund Endorses Sylvia Garcia for Congress," March 2, 2018
- ↑ Emily's List, "Sylvia Garcia," January 26, 2018
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History results," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ KHOU.com, "Garcia wins special runoff election for state Senate seat," March 2, 2013
- ↑ Chron.com, "Bitter District 6 race ends with Saturday runoff," February 26, 2013
- ↑ Dallas Morning News, "Houston special election for late state senator’s seat heading into runoff," January 26, 2013
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Packed Field Could Mean a Runoff in SD-6," January 2, 2013
- ↑ The Republic, "Alvarado, Garcia, Bray vying to replace deceased Gallegos in Texas Senate special election," November 12, 2012
- ↑ The Dallas Morning News, "Governor sets special election for senate seat in Houston area," December 13, 2012
- ↑ Your Houston News, " Third candidate joins race for late Senator seat," December 28, 2012
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ Sylvia Garcia 2018 campaign website, "Issues," accessed February 23, 2018
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ CNN, "Trump acquitted at impeachment trial," February 5, 2020
- ↑ CBS News, "Pelosi launches formal Trump impeachment inquiry," September 25, 2019
- ↑ White House, "Remarks by President Trump and President Salih of Iraq Before Bilateral Meeting," September 24, 2019
- ↑ Associated Press, "The Latest: Democrats say Trump allegations are impeachable," September 24, 2019
- ↑ NBC News, "Trump impeached by the House for abuse of power, obstruction of Congress," December 18, 2019
- ↑ The Hill, "Meet Pelosi's 7 impeachment managers," January 19, 2020
- ↑ kten.com, "Texas Lawmakers To Tackle Redistricting In Special Session," May 29, 2013
- ↑ Legislative reference Library of Texas, "Texas Legislative Sessions and Years," accessed June 13, 2014
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