U.S. Congress · November 3, 2026

Portland City Council, U.S. House · District 4

3
Candidates: 1
Seats: Vote for one
Method: Nov 3
Due 8 p.m.

The south coast and southern Willamette Valley: Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Roseburg, Coos Bay, Florence and Newport. County edges are split; use the lookup.The south coast and southern Willamette ValleyNot yours? U.S. Senate

Our readingDraft

One emphasizes public investment and labor protections; another combines enforcement and regulatory relief with a conditional immigration-status proposal; a third proposes much larger changes to ownership, social provision and military spending.

3 candidates, A–Z. Tap any position to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source.

8 more choices, below8 more choices

Where each candidate stands on four issues, in our short reading of their statements. Each position is a button; activate it to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source. Candidates appear alphabetically.
Candidate	3 of 3 documented	2 of 3 documented	3 of 3 documented	3 of 3 documented
Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee	Homes	Safety	Money	Climate
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney	Homes	Safety	Money	Climate
Val HoyleIncumbent U	Homes	Safety	Money	Climate

What this office decides right now

What’s at stake

A representative votes on federal taxes, spending, war powers and every bill the House takes up, and the two-year term puts the winner in the Congress that faces the December 11 funding deadline and the 2027 budget. District 4 is the south coast and southern Willamette Valley: Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Roseburg, Coos Bay, Florence and Newport, with federal forests and O&C lands across its southern counties. The seat was decided 51.7% to 43.9% in 2024, with 2.7% to a third candidate.

Each of this office’s 8 live choices is a board below, with every candidate’s stated position or the gap.

Medicaid work rules
H.R. 1’s work-or-activity rules for adults 19–64 on the Oregon Health Plan start in 2027, with renewals every six months. OHA expects to check about 600,000 adults, says 100,000 to 200,000 could lose coverage, and puts the federal funding loss at $718 million to $1.4 billion a year.
ACA premium credits
The enhanced premium tax credits expired December 31, 2025; the House-passed three-year restoration (230–196 on January 8, 2026) awaits the Senate. Oregon marketplace plan selections fell from 139,688 for 2025 to 118,372 for 2026.
December 11 deadline
The stopgap signed September 2, 2026 funds the government only through December 11 (House 370–48, Senate 90–6). The full-year 2027 bills for HUD, the Forest Service and Homeland Security, and any shutdown, fall to the members elected in November.
Fix Our Forests Act
The bill passed the House 279–141 in January 2025 and a Senate committee 18–5 in October 2025 but has had no Senate floor vote; it would let 10,000-acre fireshed projects skip full review and give challengers 120 days to sue. The 2001 Roadless Rule was repealed in August 2026.
ICE expansion
The Secure America Act, signed June 10, 2026, gives ICE $38.5 billion and Customs and Border Protection $26 billion through September 2029, without the detention and oversight conditions carried in annual spending bills. It followed a 76-day lapse in Homeland Security funding over enforcement rules.
Iran war
U.S. strikes on Iran began February 28, 2026. Both chambers adopted a withdrawal resolution in June; the president told Congress on July 10 that fighting had resumed, the House passed a second resolution 214–208 on July 23, and a binding Senate measure failed 47–49. Any authorization or funding vote comes to the next Congress.
Tariff power
The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on February 20, 2026 that the emergency-powers law does not authorize tariffs. The administration ran a 10% surcharge to July 24 and then set 10–12.5% duties on about 60 countries under trade law; Congress can end, extend or rewrite those tariffs itself.
Housing law to fund
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (Public Law 119-101, July 11, 2026) rewrites permitting and environmental-review rules, makes the voucher-conversion program permanent with a 555,000-unit cap and authorizes new grants, but appropriates no money; the next Congress decides what it funds.

Where they stand · eight more choices

Eight choices Congress faces

One question at a time: every candidate’s answer, A–Z, with its source. Open all to see who has said nothing about what.

Medicaid and SNAP cutsKeep H.R. 1’s Medicaid work rules, six-month renewals and SNAP cuts, or repeal them?1 of 3 on recordNot found: Justin Filip, Monique DeSpain

H.R. 1, signed July 4, 2025, requires adults 19–64 on the Oregon Health Plan to show 80 hours a month of work, school or volunteering from 2027 and to renew every six months. The Oregon Health Authority expects to check about 600,000 adults, says 100,000 to 200,000 could lose coverage, and puts the federal funding loss at $718 million to $1.4 billion a year.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Voted no
What they did
Voted no on final House passage of H.R. 1 on July 3, 2025 (218–214), a vote on the whole package, including the Medicaid work rules, six-month renewals and SNAP cuts.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

ACA premium creditsRestore the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that expired December 31, 2025?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Monique DeSpain

The House passed a three-year restoration (H.R. 1834) 230–196 on January 8, 2026; the Senate has not taken it up, after a 51–48 cloture vote on the Democrats’ S. 3385 failed on December 11, 2025. Oregon marketplace plan selections fell from 139,688 for 2025 to 118,372 for 2026, the first year without the enhanced credits.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
Medicare for All
Said: What they said
Would implement a national improved Medicare for All program guaranteeing universal access; he does not say whether he would restore the expired premium tax credits in the meantime.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Voted to restore
What they did
Voted yes on January 8, 2026 on H.R. 1834, a three-year restoration of the enhanced premium tax credits; it passed 230–196 and awaits the Senate.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

TariffsEnd the tariffs and take tariff power back from the president?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Monique DeSpain

The Supreme Court held 6–3 on February 20, 2026 that the emergency-powers law does not authorize tariffs; the administration ended those tariffs February 24, ran a 10% surcharge to July 24, then set 10–12.5% duties on about 60 countries. The House voted 219–211 on February 11, 2026 to end the Canada tariff emergency; the Senate voted 51–47 on October 30, 2025 to end the global one.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
Fair trade agreements
Said: What they said
Would establish global fair-trade agreements to protect workers and communities; he does not say whether the current tariffs should end.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Voted to end tariffs
What they did
Voted yes on February 11, 2026 on H.J.Res. 72 to end the national emergency behind the Canada tariffs; it passed 219–211.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

ICE and border moneyFund the $70 billion expansion of ICE and Border Patrol through 2029 (the Secure America Act)?3 of 3 on record

The Secure America Act, signed June 10, 2026, adds $38.5 billion for ICE and $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection through September 2029, on top of H.R. 1’s 2025 money; it passed 52–47 and 214–212. It followed a 76-day lapse in Homeland Security funding (February 14–April 30, 2026) over enforcement rules, and a judge’s November 7, 2025 order blocking federal troops in Portland.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
Abolish ICE
Said: What they said
Would abolish ICE and replace it with an Office of Citizenship, Refugees and Immigration Services, with amnesty and a path to citizenship.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Fund border security
Said: What they said
Would fund an all-of-the-above border toolkit of barriers, sensors and drones and remove noncitizens who commit serious crimes, with a one-time earned path for long-settled residents; she does not address the $70 billion ICE package.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Voted no
What they did
Voted no on June 9, 2026 on the Secure America Act’s $70 billion for ICE and Border Patrol through 2029; it passed 214–212.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Iran war powersDirect the president to end U.S. military involvement in the war with Iran?1 of 3 on recordNot found: Justin Filip, Monique DeSpain

U.S. strikes on Iran began February 28, 2026. Both chambers adopted H.Con.Res. 86 directing withdrawal (House 215–208 on June 3; Senate 50–48 on June 23). After the president told Congress on July 10 that fighting had resumed, the House passed H.Con.Res. 89 214–208 on July 23 and a binding Senate resolution failed 47–49 the same day.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Voted to end involvement
What they did
Voted yes on July 23, 2026 on H.Con.Res. 89 directing the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran (214–208), as on June 3.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Fix Our Forests ActPass the Fix Our Forests Act: faster thinning and logging on federal forests with shorter windows to sue?3 of 3 on record

H.R. 471 passed the House 279–141 on January 23, 2025; it lets fireshed projects up to 10,000 acres skip full environmental review and gives challengers 120 days to sue. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced S. 1462 18–5 in October 2025, but the full Senate has not voted. The administration separately repealed the 2001 Roadless Rule in August 2026, covering 58.5 million acres.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
A trojan horse
Said: What they said
Calls the Fix Our Forests Act a trojan horse for gutting bedrock environmental laws under the guise of wildfire management, and asks the Senate to reject it.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Supported from the start
Said: What they said
Says she supported the Fix Our Forests Act from the beginning and has filed public comment backing rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule; wants thinning, salvage harvests and rapid fire suppression.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Voted yes
What they did
Voted yes on January 23, 2025 on the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471), which passed 279–141.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Federal housing programsExpand the federal role in housing, from the new ROAD to Housing law to more vouchers and tax credits?3 of 3 on record

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law July 11, 2026 (Public Law 119-101) after votes of 358–32 and 85–5; it changes permitting and environmental review, makes the voucher-conversion program permanent and authorizes new grants, but money still depends on the annual HUD budget, now on a stopgap through December 11, 2026. Oregon permitted 14,839 homes in 2025 against a state target of 29,359.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
Federal housing dollars
Said: What they said
Wants federal dollars brought back to the district for the housing and unhoused crisis and involuntary homelessness abolished; he does not address the ROAD Act, vouchers or tax credits.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Lift federal restrictions
Said: What they said
Would have the federal government lift housing restrictions and encourage workforce housing, ending permitting costs and land-use rules she says stifle construction; she does not address vouchers or tax credits.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Voted for ROAD Act
What they did
Voted yes on June 23, 2026 on final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (358–32), now Public Law 119-101.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Data-center costsShould federal policy rein in data centers’ power, water and cost impacts, or keep fast-tracking them?1 of 3 on recordNot found: Monique DeSpain, Val Hoyle

Executive Order 14318 (July 23, 2025) fast-tracks federal permits, land and financing for AI data centers over 100 megawatts. Oregon has an estimated 144 data centers receiving at least $450 million in property tax breaks this year,, and the governor paused data-center deals on state land through July 1, 2027 while a state advisory committee writes recommendations for the 2027 session.

Justin FilipPacific Green and Progressive nominee
Ban private data centers
Said: What they said
Would ban privately built data centers, saying they strain the grid, drive up rates and consume massive amounts of water, and calls for public ownership of such infrastructure.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Monique DeSpainRetired Air Force colonel and attorney
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Val HoyleIncumbent U
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

About this race

How to vote

You vote for one candidate. How it works

Ballots mail Oct 14 · return by 8 p.m. Nov 3

What this office can do

Congress writes federal law, approves spending and oversees the executive branch. A representative needs support from colleagues; most legislation also needs Senate approval and the president’s signature, or a veto override.

How this list was made

Same questions for everyone, A–Z. Each chip is our short reading of a sourced statement; we do not endorse, rank or score.

Reviewed September 18, 2026 · lines 2026-09-19.1 · AI-assisted, human review pending

Terms explained

Amendment: A proposed change to a measure before the final vote. Voting for an amendment is not the same as voting for the whole measure.
Supplemental budget: A mid-year change to the city budget after the main budget is adopted.
Appropriation: Permission to spend money on something. It does not mean the money has been spent or the result achieved.
PCEF: The Portland Clean Energy Fund: a tax on large retailers that pays for climate projects. Council has debated using its interest for other services.
Term sheet: Starting terms for a negotiation. Approving one is not a final contract.
Social housing: Housing owned by the public or a nonprofit and rented at controlled prices.
CEI Hub: The fuel-storage area along the Willamette in Northwest Portland, where Zenith Energy operates.
Ranked choice: You rank candidates in order. If your first choice is eliminated or already elected, your vote counts toward your next choice.