Ami Bera For Congress in 2026

About Dr. Bera

As a doctor, Ami Bera took an oath to put his patients first. As a teacher, Bera made a commitment to put his students first. As your representative, Dr. Bera’s pledge has been, and will always be to put the people first.

Washington and Congress should be a place of service to the people, not dysfunctional games or Twitter fights, and he works hard every day to keep that promise.

Dr. Bera was first elected to represent Sacramento County in November 2012. As a first generation American, he attended California’s public schools from kindergarten through to medical school. Dr. Bera served this community for 21 years as a doctor, as Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer, and then as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UC Davis, where he taught the next generation of doctors to care for their patients.

As someone who treated veterans in VA hospitals, Dr. Bera knows that mistreatment of veterans in need of medical care is a tragedy not to mention immoral and un-American. His office has helped hundreds of veterans through the backlog to get the treatment they’ve earned, and he’s reached across party lines to get more medical staff into the VA so that no veteran has to wait for the care they need.

Dr. Bera believes that Medicare and Social Security are guaranteed promises and key to a dignified retirement. He has fought efforts to privatize Social Security and is working to reduce waste, abuse, and fraud in Medicare to protect it for the future. He was proud to receive the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, because he understands that we must leave decisions about a woman’s health to her and her doctor.

Dr. Bera is working with lawmakers from both parties on commonsense policies to move America forward, including slashing red tape for small businesses and cutting taxes for middle-class families.

Since being elected to office, he has:

• Voted to pass the America COMPETES Act in the House chamber, a bill that will bolster the R&D and manufacturing of the U.S. semiconductor industry and will increase the budgets of the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy Office of Science, and National Institute of Standards and Technology in order to expand existing research programs.
• Ensured passage of the American Rescue Plan, bringing Sacramento county millions in funding that will create jobs, support small businesses, and advance public health measures to keep our community safe.
• Voted to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which helps provide funding for Sacramento to fix aging infrastructure, cuts taxes for middle-income families, and creates well paying jobs across our region.
• Championed efforts to strengthen investment in global health innovation and fought proposed cuts to vital funds that help fight future pandemics, and as a result, was given the 2021 Congressional Champion Award.
• Introduced the Healthcare Innovation Act, which gives states the tools to experiment with new ways to get more Americans enrolled in health insurance thus lowering costs for all as more are enrolled.
• Continued to lead bi-partisan efforts to achieve universal coverage and ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare.
• Co-Sponsored bipartisan legislation to reduce wait times for veterans in need of medical care by increasing the number of doctors in VA Hospitals and recovered $2.2 million in veterans’ benefits.
• Returned more than $22.5 million to Sacramento County taxpayers in benefits they’ve earned and helped more than 34,500 constituents.
• Invested in bipartisan efforts in bringing 21st century jobs and training to Sacramento as well as tax relief for the small businesses in the region.
• Stood up to efforts to privatize Medicare and Social Security, because he knows that after a lifetime of work and service to our community we owe it to hardworking men and women to fulfill that promise.
• Supported bipartisan budgets and has worked to strategically balance the budget as well as implement commonsense tax reform that benefits our middle-class families.

Dr. Bera has seen firsthand how education can improve lives, and how too many cannot afford the education or job training they need to compete in our changing economy. He continues to put politics aside to rebuild an economy that values hard work and prioritizes the middle class. Dr. Bera would be honored to earn your vote.

Ami and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter, Sydra. For more updates on Dr. Bera follow @AmiBeraMD on Twitter, like Bera for Congress on Facebook, and sign up for updates.

Where I Stand

Moving America Forward

The world is changing. We need to come together to move forward as a nation without forsaking the core values that have always made America great. I am running for Congress because I believe the moment is right to bring new energy to the American story, with the faith that together we can establish a more just, compassionate, and healthy world.

With the right leadership and a collective effort, we can create:

Energy and the Environment

Central to our national mission is the mandate to build for future generations. We now know, however, that many of our present patterns of development and growth are both economically and environmentally unsustainable. That’s why Dr. Bera believes the long term health, security and prosperity of our nation and world require a transition in how we think about our relationship to energy use and natural ecosystems.

The challenge to create a clean energy future is not only about preserving the earth’s beauty and resources for our children and grandchildren; it is about generating millions of new jobs, jumpstarting our economy, and improving the health and quality of life for our families and communities. America can lead the way in this shift to a cleaner, more sustainable future. But we need to embrace forward-looking policies that recognize the critical intersection between environmental sustainability, economic growth, national security and public health.

Climate Change, Jobs and the New Energy Economy

For the first time in our post-industrial history, it is possible to power our economy more efficiently and with greater economic gains by employing clean energy technology and practices. This development means we can now harness market forces to confront the dual threat of climate change and energy dependence. That is why Dr. Bera supports strategic policies and investments to promote this crucial transition from a carbon-based and energy dependent economy to one that is clean, self-sufficient, and can generate millions of good-paying jobs across every skill and education level.

Investing in Efficiency and Innovation. The path to a new clean energy economy requires notable increases in energy efficiency and greater access to renewable energy sources. To achieve this we will need to invest in multiple sectors of our economy. Specifically, we should focus on increasing the fuel efficiency standards of our cars and trucks; retrofitting commercial buildings and homes; and long-term extensions of the production and investment tax credits, incentivizing further research and development in solar and wind. By taking these steps we can immediately create hundreds of thousands of manufacturing, installation, and maintenance jobs.

Education and Workforce Training for the New Energy Economy. The path to a clean energy future will require a skilled workforce of engineers, scientists, computer programmers, technicians, builders, electricians and mechanics, all working together to rebuild and power a cleaner, more efficient society. We must focus on our investments in public education and workforce training, so that young people and a transitioning workforce have the knowledge and skills necessary to design and build the infrastructure of the new energy economy.

Standing Up to Big Oil and Offshore Drilling Along California Coast

It is a sad fact that much of our current energy policy is skewed to the interests of big oil companies who spend billions of dollars to manipulate public perception and buy off career politicians. Even worse is the proposed offshore drilling plans in federal waters off the California coast that will be both a disaster for our environment and economy. That is why in Congress, Dr. Bera continues to stand up to these companies and their lobbyists, and instead supports policy rooted in sound evidence and the best interests of the American people.

No on Offshore Drilling. The potential benefits of offshore drilling are easily outweighed by the profound risks posed to our oceans and coastal economies.

Smarter, Safer Alternatives. The transition from a carbon-based to a clean energy future will not happen overnight, and so we must continue to explore the smartest and safest measures to maximize domestic oil and natural gas production. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, for instance, can yield as much as ten times the amount from existing oil fields as is projected to come from offshore projects, and the benefits are immediate as opposed to the decade or more it takes to generate new oil flow offshore. While this approach is not a long-term answer, it represents the potential for realistic and fruitful compromises as we continue to develop clean and renewable technology solutions.

Building Healthier Communities, Protecting our Resources

The transition to a clean energy future is not only about reducing energy dependence and combating global climate change; it is about improving the health and quality of life for our families and protecting our environment.

That is why Dr. Bera continues to work closely with county and city officials, developers, business and community leaders to ensure our region has a voice to fight for the resources we need to implement the development goals. We must continue to accelerate these efforts to create more livable and energy efficient communities. In the process, we can continue to support the health and quality of life of our families, while also transforming our region into a national leader in the new clean energy economy.

Health Care

Dr. Bera has spent his professional life caring for people and educating the next generation of doctors. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed how our healthcare system is not adequately designed to handle the level of care Americans need. Unfortunately, our healthcare system consistently puts bureaucracies before the health of our patients. Dr. Bera has witnessed medical costs skyrocket without seeing patient care improve. And Dr. Bera has treated patients who would be healthier if they could have afforded basic preventive care. This is the result of an industry which continues to put profits before patients.

The chaos in Washington has hurt our healthcare system and left millions without coverage. Too often, politicians in Washington, D.C. are focused on scoring cheap political points instead of serving the pressing needs of their constituents. Rather than putting the health of our citizens first, some members of Congress advocate passing costs onto our seniors by turning Medicare into a voucher system. Breaking this promise is both morally intolerable and fiscally irresponsible. Moving forward, we must work together so that all Americans have access to the best health care in the world.

The legislation signed into law makes strides to reform our broken system. However, the law fails to adequately address runaway costs. As a doctor, Bera understands in real terms how this legislation can impact caregivers and patients. We must reduce waste and fraud, empower the doctor-patient relationship, and improve the health of the American people.

Pathway to Universal Coverage

Healthcare is not a privilege, but rather a fundamental right that representatives on both sides of the aisle need to come together to address. That is why Dr. Bera is leading the bi-partisan effort in bringing about universal coverage to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare.

######Lowering Costs

Health care costs too much. Retail charges are too high, and insurance premiums have become unaffordable for too many individuals, families, and small businesses. As it stands, the law fails to adequately address rising costs. In Congress, Dr. Bera will identify and address the causes of rising costs, like fraud and wasteful practices. It is within our grasp to ensure that quality care is available and affordable for all.

Two of the biggest drivers of cost in our system—waste and fraud—can be readily addressed by instituting more communication, transparency and accountability. This does not require increased government control: we can equip caregivers, medical staff, and patients with the tools to monitor the system themselves. Shared information, increased consumer choice, and market competition are powerful forces in reducing costs.

Advancements in technological and scientific knowledge will transform medicine once more, dramatically lowering costs and raising outcomes. We can empower physicians and patients with the information they need to make the best treatment decisions by expanding electronic decision support. We can create a claims processing system for physicians, as we have for pharmacists, banks, and investments. We can invest in tools that save on administrative costs while preventing criminal and wasteful fraud. But to solve these pressing problems, we need leaders who care more about fixing our healthcare system than winning petty political battles.

Stem Cell Research

As a Doctor and UC Davis faculty member, Dr. Bera understands the importance of investing in stem cell research. Too many people suffer from agonizing, debilitating, and life-threatening illnesses. But Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, paralysis, and Parkinson’s are tragedies that we can avoid. One day, families may never again be left to watch helplessly and hopelessly while a loved one suffers. But these miraculous achievements will not come about on their own. We need diligent research, American innovation, and the will to succeed to create a new era of medical—and humanitarian—breakthroughs. Investing to make sure these innovations take place in the United States will not only make our country stronger and healthier, it will create jobs in Sacramento County.

Making Sure Medicare is Secure and Solvent

For decades, Medicare has allowed our seniors to retire with dignity. By assuring care to aging Americans, Medicare establishes the financial security necessary for a strong and prosperous economy. As a doctor, Dr. Bera understands that we have a lot of work to do in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of Medicare. But recklessly shifting costs to our seniors is simply intolerable. In Congress, Dr. Bera will continue to protect Medicare, while aggressively attacking the waste and fraud that currently threatens the program’s long-term solvency.

Fighting for Families

Health care is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Getting sick shouldn’t mean bankruptcy or a second mortgage. Our nation deserves a healthcare system that enables opportunity and prosperity. The diagnosis is clear: we need to put patients before profits to ensure that we have the best healthcare system in the world.

Medicare and Social Security

Dr. Bera believes that Medicare and Social Security are guaranteed promises and the key to a dignified retirement. As a doctor known for making house calls, he knows firsthand how critical protecting Medicare is for seniors.

Since we sent him to Washington, Dr. Bera has stood up to efforts to privatize Social Security, because he knows that after a lifetime of work and service to our community, we owe it to hardworking men and women to fulfill that promise. It’s who we are as Americans.

Dr. Bera has treated hundreds of patients who depend on Medicare and Medicaid and knows that these two programs save lives. He’s stood up to those who want to privatize Medicare and is working across party lines to reduce waste, abuse, and fraud in Medicare to strengthen and protect it for future generations.

How Dr. Bera is Fighting for Medicare and Social Security

• Helped lead the push to fix the broken Medicare payment system and preserve access to doctors for seniors
• Stood up to prevent a 52% spike in Medicare premiums
• Fought to prevent cuts in Medicare Advantage and protect seniors from increases in costs
• Voted to protect the disability insurance program from devastating cuts next year and extend its solvency

Protecting Medicare for Future Generations

Estimates show that the amount of fraud and abuse in Medicare exceeds $60 billion annually. Dr. Bera believes that through careful monitoring and aggressive enforcement we can save billions of dollars. Dr. Bera is fighting to close these loopholes, catch these criminals and direct these resources to lower premiums and better care.

National Security

Dr. Bera believes we must be tough and smart not only about challenges we face today, such as securing our borders and fighting terrorism, but also about the emerging threat of nuclear proliferation. That is why as Vice Ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs committee, Dr. Bera continues to maintain critical relationships with foreign allies around the globe to ensure we don’t rush into a war as a result of careless decision making or fringed relationships. If we keep our country strong with sensible policies that foster energy independence and economic competitiveness, we will be better positioned to confront our national security challenges.

Immigration: Comprehensive Reform to Fix a Broken System

As a first generation American who is a proud product of the American Dream, Dr. Bera finds Donald Trump’s immigration agenda extremely dangerous. Trump has said that many Mexican immigrants are rapists and killers and he wants to charge taxpayers to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. These discriminatory and bigoted attacks, both here at home and abroad, have been carried out with the sole purpose of dividing our country and destroying the melting pot of diversity and opportunity that is the American way. Dr. Bera knows that we need immigration policy that makes our country safe and our economy strong. That means we should both strengthen our borders and encourage the best and brightest who study in the U.S. to stay, work here, and create their companies here. Dr. Bera has been proud to support comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, addresses the 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, and adds billions of dollars to our economy.Dr. Bera believes that the gridlock in Washington has continually gotten in the way of mending our broken immigration system and will continue to work across party lines to pass meaningful reform.

######Terrorism: Secure America and Defeat Terrorist Organizations

Dismantling terrorist cells and training facilities and stopping terrorism before it starts is critical to America’s National Security. To defeat global terror networks and prevent new ones from arising, we must take a multilateral cooperative approach. That means we must utilize targeted airstrikes when necessary, dismantle their finances, and ensure our partners in the region do their part. But, we must also do a much better job of stopping and countering vicious propaganda campaign that urges attacks on innocent people by combating their use of the internet and social media to recruit new fighters.

######Economic Competitiveness: A stronger, more sustainable economy is critical for national security

A vibrant American economy means more effective American leadership in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. It also translates into stronger relationships with allies and trading partners and greater capacity to address emerging conflicts. We must re-tool our economy for the twenty-first century by reinvesting in R&D, renewable energy, public education, workforce training, job creation, and enhanced access to capital for small businesses. California and the Sacramento region are poised to lead the effort to ensure our continued competitiveness.

######Energy Independence: Central to national security and economic prosperity

A reliance on foreign oil helps fund the same extremists our military is fighting. Dr. Bera knows that there is not enough oil in the United States to drill our way out of this dependence on foreign oil. Dr. Bera believes that transitioning to renewable energy will both create jobs and enhance our national security.

######Homeland Security: Vigorously protect the United States from terrorism and natural disasters.

Dr. Bera believes that we must ensure that our intelligence and law enforcement agents have the resources they need to keep us safe from terrorism. American security also means protecting ourselves during natural disasters, such as floods and wild fires. We must continue to engage all levels of government and the private sector in our efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all threats against our citizens.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation:

Dr. Bera believes that American security is best served in a world free of nuclear weapons, a bipartisan goal supported by both Presidents Reagan and Obama. The United States must use its intelligence, military capabilities, and work with our partners around the world to control the spread of nuclear weapons and technology so that such weapons stay out of the hands of terrorist organizations and aggressor states. As long as nuclear weapons remain a reality, the United States will maintain a powerful nuclear deterrent to protect our allies and to discourage other countries from nuclear armament.

Veterans

Dr. Bera believes that the mistreatment of veterans is a national tragedy, not to mention immoral and un-American. In Washington, Dr. Bera has worked across party lines to get more medical staff into the VA system so that no veteran has to wait for months on end for the care they need.

As a doctor who has cared for veterans in VA hospitals, Dr. Bera is fighting for the thousands of veterans in our community who have defended our nation. His office has helped hundreds of veterans in Sacramento County work through the backlog and complicated bureaucracy to return thousands of dollars in earned benefits, and the medical care they deserve.

Dr. Bera has a record of fighting on behalf of our men and women in uniform:

• Bera voted for a pay raise for the men and women who serve our country.
• As the Co-Chair of the No Labels Problem Solvers Caucus, Dr. Bera helped introduce the 21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act, which is now law, to implement a user friendly, electronic record system for service members and veterans to streamline their access to health records.
• Representative Bera introduced legislation to reform intake and management for patients at VA hospitals after the preventable death of a Vietnam veteran at Mather VA Hospital in Sacramento County. Dr. Bera also called for the federal investigation into the tragedy.
• Helping hundreds get the earned benefits and medical care they’ve earned.

Women’s Equality

After the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade, Dr. Bera understands protecting women’s access to reproductive health care is more important than ever. In early June 2022, Dr. Bera along with other Democrats in Congress introduced the Affordability is Access Act (HR 7894), a bill to expand affordable over-the-counter birth control options and allowing women to plan their own reproductive lives, on their own terms. He also previously voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act (HR 3755), which would take a critical step in codifying the constitutional protections under Roe v. Wade. Making sure women have the right and access to make their own reproductive health decisions is imperative to women’s equality.

Since being elected, Dr. Bera has consistently stood up for women while Republicans across the country are ramping up their all-out assault on women’s basic health freedoms. There is no place in Congress for those who have repeatedly wasted time and taxpayer money to deny coverage for basic women’s health care like birth control. Dr. Bera knows that preventative care can save lives and millions of dollars, which is why he has vowed to continue fighting to support organizations like Planned Parenthood who provide critical life-saving services like family planning and counseling, birth control, screenings for cancer, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, he was named a National Women’s Health Champion by Planned Parenthood for his vision, leadership, and integrity in advancing women’s reproductive care.

Dr. Bera knows that women’s health also begins with safety. He took a stand for women experiencing violence by voting to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. He’s fought to secure funding for groups that help victims of domestic violence get services to help keep them safe and punish their abusers.