Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Dave Min
Current job title: Member of Congress
Age: 50
Political party affiliation: Democratic
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: California State Senator
City where you reside: Irvine
Campaign website or social media: davemin.com
From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)
I have heard from so many constituents concerned about how hard it is to get by these days, with soaring costs in groceries, utility bills, healthcare, and housing expected to rise even higher due to Trump’s illegal war in Iran. I will continue to try to work with my colleagues to develop smart economic policies while reversing Trump’s policies that have driven up the costs of healthcare, energy, and groceries.
Another common complaint has been the rampant corruption in our government, including the cover-up of the Epstein files to protect the rich and powerful. As a member of the House Oversight Committee, I am fighting to release the full files, hold the Epstein elite accountable, and give the survivors the justice they deserve.
And with masked ICE agents assaulting Americans in our streets and Trump’s threats to rig elections, I’ve heard much concern about protecting our democracy. I’ve spent my career working to uphold the law, and as your representative, I will continue to defend our free and fair elections, support our free press, and strengthen checks and balances so no president can act like a king.
Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
At a time when our democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to stand up for free and fair elections. The Constitution is clear – states, not the president, run their own local elections. President Trump has a well-documented track record of sowing doubts about election results to empower himself. And even as he has falsely claimed that voting by mail is rife with fraud, a claim that has been contradicted by every serious study, including a number of investigations by right-wing leaders, he himself has consistently used vote-by-mail for his own ballots.
In my view, we must try to balance two potentially competing goals when it comes to elections: expanding access to voting so every citizen who wants to vote in an election can do so easily and without unnecessary burdens, while also ensuring that our elections are free of fraud.
But right now, Trump and his allies in Congress are trying to dramatically increase the burdens on voting without presenting any actual evidence of fraud that might justify these. The SAVE America Act would require every American to present proof of citizenship in order to be able to vote, which would potentially require every single one of us to re-register with a passport or birth certificate. As many experts have pointed out, anyone who has changed their surname because of marriage or other circumstances would find it very difficult to register to vote.
I strongly opposed Trump’s efforts to disenfranchise voters.
What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I believe in strong border security and enforcement of our immigration laws, but what ICE is doing right now goes far beyond that. Masked and anonymous ICE agents are routinely breaking the law, assaulting civilians in the streets, violently and indiscriminately arresting people– including citizens and immigrants with valid status– without cause, and engaging in shock-and-awe tactics like breaking windows or pointing guns at people who are not a threat.
I voted against the $170 billion funding increase for ICE, and since then, I have consistently voted against additional funding for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security under which ICE operates. We must rein in the lawlessness and lack of accountability at ICE, and while the reassignment of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is a good start, additional guardrails are necessary to ensure that this agency abides by the law.
ICE’s activities have also illustrated some of the problems with our immigration law. I don’t believe we should be deporting someone who has been here for 30 years, married to a US citizen, with children born in this country. I don’t believe we should be deporting Dreamers, who came to this country at a young age and have lived here for decades. I don’t believe we should be breaking apart families or detaining children. Under current immigration law, these are all legally permissible. We are long overdue for comprehensive immigration reform that is fair and humane but also emphasizes border security and preventing people from illegally entering this country.
It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Wildfire relief should not be a partisan issue, yet Donald Trump has used this catastrophic disaster to retaliate against the State of California. One of my first actions as a member of Congress was to call on Mike Johnson to provide unconditional aid to support California after the Palisades and Eaton fires, yet he refused. The bottom line is that Congressional Republicans and President Trump will not help their fellow Americans and provide much-needed support because of partisan politics. We need Democrats to take back control of Congress to place a much-needed check on the President and to push for the critical funding California needs to recover.
Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Yes, and that is why I have introduced the STOCK 2.0 Act, which would prevent individuals in public positions of service, including White House and other top government officials, the federal judiciary, and members of Congress, from using their access for personal financial enrichment. I built my career at the SEC holding the rich and powerful accountable, prosecuting corporate fraud and insider trading. No one is above the law, and no one should be allowed to use inside information to make a profit.
Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Yes. The science is clear: our basic way of life is under existential threat unless we take urgent action to cut carbon and pollution emissions. As a member of Congress, I serve as a co-chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Building Resilient Housing Task, where I work with my colleagues to find innovative, sustainable, and affordable ways to address the housing shortage, which would directly benefit lower-income families. I have also introduced numerous bills to protect our coastline from the consequences of the climate crisis and better prepare our community for the threat of wildfires.
Throughout my career, I have worked with our small business community to propose legislation to cut through the red tape. That is why I believe strongly that you can fight the climate crisis while also allowing small businesses to thrive.
President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I would not approve funding without a clear, convincing argument about why the Trump administration needs additional dollars. Right now, we are watching President Trump engage in conflicts around the globe, while Americans at home struggle to get by. While Trump wages an illegal war in Iran, one that has constantly changing justifications and goals, Americans are paying higher gas prices, health care costs are spiking, and tariffs are hurting our small businesses.
What are the objectives of increased military funding? What would it be used for? If military force is used, what are the exit strategies and what measures are being taken to ensure that our troops are not being recklessly put in harm’s way? What Trump has shown is that while he personally avoided any military combat duty due to his claim that he had bone spurs, he is very cavalier about putting other people into combat. We deserve answers from this administration before we authorize increased spending.
Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
War should be a last resort that only Congress has the power to declare. As the child of Korean immigrants who survived the Korean War, I believe that American military intervention in other countries may be appropriate, but as someone who has lived through the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, I am also adamant that there must be a plan, clearly defined objectives, and a clear exit strategy when we decide to put our courageous soldiers in harm’s way.
The reason that the Constitution places the power to declare war exclusively with Congress is that our Founders, in their great wisdom, wanted war to be rare and the product of serious deliberative discussion by the peoples’ representatives.
Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Generally, the power to declare war, which includes the use of military force against or in other countries, is reserved to Congress. However, at several points in our country’s history, Congress has delegated some of this authority to the President through Authorizations of Use of Military Force (AUMFs). Most of the military actions taken over the past 25 years have relied on the 2001 AUMF (relating to 9/11) and the 2002 AUMF (relating to Iraq), which have been interpreted as allowing the President to use military forces when there is an “imminent threat” to the United States.
I believe this is an appropriate standard, as the President should have the authority to rapidly respond when there is an imminent threat to our safety and security. But when there is no such imminent threat, as was the case with Iran before Trump launched his war against that country, the President should seek Congressional approval for all use of military force against other countries. I believe the President and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are violating U.S. law in waging this war against Iran without Congressional authorization.
The Constitution is clear: Congress and only Congress can declare war. They did not want mad kings to plunge us into war on a whim. If a president wishes to declare war, he or she must immediately present his or her case for putting our service members in harm’s way to Congress and the American people.
Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
As a first-term member of Congress, I serve on the House Oversight Committee. On this committee, we are tasked with holding the federal government accountable, no matter which party is in power. Yet, over the past year and a half, this committee has refused to do any real oversight into the issues that actually matter to my constituents, including Trump’s appearances in the Epstein files, Trump’s tariffs that have caused prices to skyrocket, and Trump and his family abusing the office of the presidency to make a profit. The failures of this Republican-led committee are a microcosm of the dysfunction of the Republican-led Congress.
Since taking office, Trump has stolen and diverted funding wherever he wants, letting health care costs rise while ICE is flush with cash; gone to war without the consent of Congress; and levied tariffs, forcing a new tax on the American people. Republicans have allowed Trump to break the law while Americans suffer the consequences.
Congressional Republicans have shown that they are not up for the task when it comes to oversight. When Democrats take back Congress, we will be ready and willing to fight for accountability.
Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
As a former educator and the father of three young kids, I know firsthand that social media can have detrimental consequences for young people. That’s why I support ensuring that social media companies provide the strongest privacy protections for kids and empower parents with the tools to report harmful behavior.
Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Keeping Orange County safe is one of my top priorities in Congress. I have worked closely with local law enforcement to keep our streets secure. I have also introduced legislation to prevent gun violence, protect our coastal communities, and support survivors of domestic violence. As your member of Congress, I promise to continue my work to make certain that folks across Orange County can work, live, and raise their families without fear.
There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I celebrate voter choice, which means I will always support voters making the decisions that are best for them, whether that is supporting a member of Congress for one term or many.
What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I played a few years of baseball in Little League and Pony League, and then some rec league softball when I was an adult, but I surprised myself (and lots of other people) at last year’s Congressional baseball game (Democrats vs. Republicans), when I was one of only four Democrats to get a base hit. My current lifetime batting average is 1000, and my OPS is 2000. You might just say I’m the Shohei Ohtani of Congressional baseball.
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