Election 2026 · Public beta

Independent, source-first accountability

TheStatedRecordFind a race
Back to the race record

Issue record

Federal spending and debt

In short

De La Cruz's campaign backs ending deficit spending, a balanced budget amendment and rewarding federal workers who find waste. Pulido's campaign lists no position on this topic on the pages checked. De La Cruz voted for a balanced budget amendment that fell short, spending limits, foreign aid and broadcasting cuts, and the 2025 law raising the debt limit $5 trillion. Nine 2026 projects she alone requested got $21.77 million set aside; spending is not shown.

Campaign positions

What each campaign says.

Monica De La Cruz

Her campaign says it will stop deficit spending, back a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and reward federal workers who find waste.

Bobby Pulido

His campaign's issue page has six sections (economy, agriculture, border security and immigration, health care, education, water); federal spending and the national debt are not among them.

Evidence timeline

What the record shows.

  1. official action

    Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

    She voted for one in March 2026 that fell short of two thirds, and she is not listed as a cosponsor of any balanced budget amendment.

    Read the full check

    Full detail

    Her campaign says it backs a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. She voted Yea on H.J.Res. 139, a balanced budget amendment, on March 18, 2026. It failed 211 to 207, short of the two thirds it needed. Limit: One vote. Congress.gov does not list her as a cosponsor of this or any other balanced budget amendment, so her backing shows in the vote alone.

  2. official action

    Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

    Nine fiscal 2026 projects list her as the only requester and add up to $21,770,000; the tables show money set aside, not spent.

    Read the full check

    Full detail

    Her House office says she secured $21.77 million in federal community project funding for fiscal 2026. Nine projects list her as the only requester in the explanatory statements for three fiscal 2026 spending laws, and they add up to $21,770,000: a public safety building and court in Alamo ($2,450,000), a public safety facility in Live Oak County ($3,250,000), a water well in Premont ($1,000,000), a water treatment plant in Edinburg ($750,000), a groundwater well in McAllen ($1,000,000), the BOLT project at the Pharr International Bridge ($3,520,000), a community center in Seguin ($2,300,000), the Military Parkway expansion in Mission ($2,000,000) and Hidalgo County's West Main Drain ($5,500,000). The laws are Public Laws 119-37, 119-74 and 119-75, signed between November 12, 2025 and February 3, 2026. Limit: These are amounts Congress set aside with her named as requester. The tables do not show money spent or projects built.

  3. official action

    Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

    She voted for 2023 spending limits and 2025 cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting, and also for the 2025 law that raised the debt limit by $5 trillion.

    Read the full check

    Full detail

    Her campaign says it will stop the deficit spending that is driving rising inflation. She voted Yea on the Limit, Save, Grow Act, which passed the House 217 to 215 on April 26, 2023. It would have capped yearly discretionary spending, taken back unspent COVID-19 money and suspended the debt limit; the Senate never passed it. She voted Aye on the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which passed 314 to 117 on May 31, 2023 and became Public Law 118-5. It set spending limits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and suspended the debt limit until January 1, 2025. She voted Yea on the Rescissions Act of 2025 when it passed the House 214 to 212 on June 12, 2025. It became Public Law 119-28 on July 24, 2025 and cancels money already provided for foreign aid and public broadcasting. Limit: The 2023 bill did not become law, and both 2023 measures also let the government borrow more. She also voted for the 2025 reconciliation act, Public Law 119-21, which raised the debt limit by $5 trillion.

See something wrong or incomplete? Report it for review.

Sources23 source records

How we use sources

  1. Monica on the Issueshttps://monicaforcongress.us/issues/

    Monica for Congress · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    The campaign's issue list: six headings (agriculture, border security and immigration, economy, energy, seniors, spending and national debt) with short bullet lines. Undated.

    candidate statement

    For: Monica De La Cruz: campaign position; Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  2. Issueshttps://www.bobbypulidofortexas.com/issues/

    Bobby Pulido for Texas · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    The campaign's issue page: six sections (economy, agriculture, border security and immigration, health care, education, water), written in his voice. Undated. One passage is about his opponent's vote and is not used here.

    candidate statement

    For: Bobby Pulido: campaign position

  3. Roll Call 95 of 2026, H.J.Res. 139, balanced budget amendment, on suspending the rules and passinghttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202695

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Recorded vote of March 18, 2026, read from the Clerk's roll-call XML. Her vote is listed under her member ID, D000594.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  4. H.J.Res. 139, 119th Congress, a balanced budget amendment to the Constitutionhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-joint-resolution/139

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs. Failed 211 to 207 on March 18, 2026 under suspension of the rules, which needs two thirds (Roll Call 95). Congress.gov does not list her as a cosponsor of it or of any other balanced budget amendment.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  5. De La Cruz Recaps 2026https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4008

    Office of Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz · Published Sep 4, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    Her House office's mid-year release, September 4, 2026. Lists New Laws Led by De La Cruz: the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with five of her provisions, the SPEAK Act and the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act. It also says she secured $21.77 million in federal community project funding for fiscal 2026.

    candidate statement

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

  6. Congressional Record, November 9, 2025, Senate: explanatory statement, community project funding table (pages S8069 to S8074) (document)

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Nov 9, 2025 · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    The explanatory statement Public Law 119-37 adopts. Its agriculture table lists De La Cruz as House requester for Alamo Public Safety Building/Court ($2,450,000, S8069), Live Oak County Public Safety Facility ($3,250,000, S8070) and Premont's Water Well Infrastructure Revitalization ($1,000,000, S8074).

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

  7. Congressional Record, January 8, 2026, House, book 3: explanatory statement, community project funding table (page H520) (document)

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Jan 8, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    The explanatory statement Public Law 119-74 adopts. Its interior and environment table lists De La Cruz as House requester for the City of Edinburg's Water Treatment Plant Project ($750,000) and the City of McAllen's Remote Groundwater Well ($1,000,000).

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

  8. Congressional Record, January 22, 2026, House, book 2: explanatory statement, community project funding tables (pages H1771 and H1874) (document)

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Jan 22, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    The explanatory statement Public Law 119-75 adopts. Its transportation and housing tables list De La Cruz as House requester for BOLT at the Pharr International Bridge ($3,520,000, H1771), and for Seguin's Community Center Improvements ($2,300,000), Mission's Military Parkway Expansion Project ($2,000,000) and Hidalgo County's West Main Drain Project ($5,500,000), all H1874.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

  9. Public Law 119-37, continuing and full-year appropriations for fiscal 2026https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ37/PLAW-119publ37.htm

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    Enacted text, H.R. 5371, signed November 12, 2025. Section 4 gives the explanatory statement printed in the Senate section of the Congressional Record on or about November 9, 2025 the effect of a conference report for divisions B through D.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

  10. Public Law 119-74, consolidated appropriations for fiscal 2026https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ74/PLAW-119publ74.htm

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    Enacted text, H.R. 6938, signed January 23, 2026. Section 4 gives the explanatory statement printed in the House section of the Congressional Record on or about January 7, 2026 the effect of a conference report for divisions A through C.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

  11. Public Law 119-75, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ75/PLAW-119publ75.htm

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    Enacted text, H.R. 7148, signed February 3, 2026. Section 4 gives the explanatory statement printed in the House section of the Congressional Record on or about January 21, 2026 the effect of a conference report. Division J, section 6213 orders HHS guidance on telehealth for people with limited English proficiency, in the same words as H.R. 2092.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated record claim

  12. H.R. 2811, 118th Congress, Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2811

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Passed the House 217 to 215 on April 26, 2023 (Roll Call 199). The Senate placed it on its calendar and its Budget Committee held a hearing; it never passed it.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  13. H.R. 2811, text as passed by the Househttps://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr2811/BILLS-118hr2811eh.htm

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Section 101 sets discretionary spending limits, section 201 rescinds unobligated coronavirus funds and section 40001 suspends the debt ceiling.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  14. Roll Call 199 of 2023, H.R. 2811, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023199

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Recorded vote of April 26, 2023, read from the Clerk's roll-call XML. Her vote is listed under her member ID, D000594.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  15. H.R. 3746, 118th Congress, Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3746

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Sponsored by Rep. Patrick McHenry. Passed the House 314 to 117 on May 31, 2023 (Roll Call 243) and became Public Law 118-5.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  16. Public Law 118-5https://www.congress.gov/118/plaws/publ5/PLAW-118publ5.htm

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Enacted text. Section 101 sets discretionary spending limits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025; section 401 suspends the debt limit through January 1, 2025.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  17. Roll Call 243 of 2023, H.R. 3746, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023243

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Recorded vote of May 31, 2023, read from the Clerk's roll-call XML. Her vote is listed under her member ID, D000594.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  18. H.R. 4, 119th Congress, Rescissions Act of 2025https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise. Passed the House 214 to 212 on June 12, 2025 (Roll Call 168). The House agreed to the Senate's changes on July 18, 2025 through H.Res. 590, with no separate roll call on the bill, and it became Public Law 119-28.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  19. Public Law 119-28https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ28/PLAW-119publ28.htm

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Enacted text, signed July 24, 2025. Rescinds unobligated balances for international organizations, bilateral economic assistance and other foreign aid accounts, and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  20. Roll Call 168 of 2025, H.R. 4, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025168

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Recorded vote of June 12, 2025, read from the Clerk's roll-call XML. Her vote is listed under her member ID, D000594.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  21. H.R. 1, 119th Congress (the 2025 reconciliation act), Public Law 119-21https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Passed the House May 22, 2025 (Roll Call 145) and, as amended by the Senate, July 3, 2025 (Roll Call 190); signed July 4, 2025.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  22. Roll Call 190 of 2025, H.R. 1, on concurring in the Senate amendmenthttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025190

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Recorded vote of July 3, 2025, read from the Clerk's roll-call XML. Her vote is listed under her member ID, D000594.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction

  23. Public Law 119-21https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ21/PLAW-119publ21.htm

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Enacted text. Section 70101 extends the reduced individual rates and section 70105 the deduction for qualified business income. Sections 50101 and 50102 require onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales. Section 90001 appropriates $46,550,000,000 for the border wall system, section 90002 money to hire Border Patrol agents and other CBP staff, and section 100054 money for hiring immigration judges. Section 72001 raises the debt limit by $5,000,000,000,000.

    official legislative record

    For: Monica De La Cruz: Matches stated direction