Houston Brignano
Role at the time: Republican candidate for U.S. House in California's 36th district, in an emailed statement from his campaign
Statement summary
Houston Brignano, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in California's 36th district, would vote no on a war powers resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran, his campaign said in an email to Dispute Index. In words the campaign attributed to him, he said the armed forces keep trade routes open and that "We will absolutely enforce the sanctions the American people have imposed through Congress to stop the spread of terrorism and violence toward Americans."
“On a war powers resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran: Houston would vote no.”
Read the full email
Thank you for writing, and for tracking where candidates stand. Houston asked me to get you his answer directly. You may quote him. On a war powers resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran: Houston would vote no. In his words: "The United States is the greatest country on earth, and we will go wherever we want. Open trade is integral to the prosperity of the American people, and our brave and courageous men and women of the armed forces maintain peace on the open ocean so these vital trade routes stay open and free. We will absolutely enforce the sanctions the American people have imposed through Congress to stop the spread of terrorism and violence toward Americans. We will protect American citizens and answer the call anywhere in the world." Houston's priority at home remains housing, safety, AI jobs, opportunity, and a future you can afford. Thanks again for the question — happy to follow up if you need anything else on the record.
Why we used this label
The case tracks support for continued U.S. military operations against Iran, including whether a candidate would vote for a war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities. Brignano's campaign says he would vote against such a resolution, and the words it attributes to him defend the military's role in keeping trade routes open and enforcing sanctions, which backs continuing the operation, so we labeled it Defended or excused.