Where do the candidates in Nevada's 4th Congressional District stand on the issues?

In the 4th Congressional District, which spans North Las Vegas and rural Nevada, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) is running for re-election against rancher and small-business owner Cody Whipple (R). 

Members of the two major parties consider the district the state's bluest, making it a tougher target for Republicans in an election year expected to go well for Democrats. That status also affects the candidates' policy positions. Horsford is backing populist proposals, such as higher taxes on billionaires and big corporations and putting conditions on support for Israel. Whipple, meanwhile, says he is willing to "call balls and strikes," breaking with President Donald Trump on some issues, such as the Iran war.

The Nevada Independent asked the candidates to share where they stand on key subjects that have dominated national policy debates — including the SAVE America Act, immigration enforcement, tariffs, foreign policy and health insurance changes — as well as on solutions to America's fiscal problems and on efforts to unlock more of Nevada's federal land.

The candidates were given the option to participate in an interview with The Nevada Independent or fill out a form rating their level of agreement with each statement from 1 (Yes) to 5 (No). The Nevada Independent defines 2 as "Mostly yes," 3 as "In the middle," and 4 as "Mostly no." Both candidates completed the form. Read details about their policy positions below. 

SAVE America Act

Undocumented immigrants

Tariffs

Iran

Israel

Affordable Care Act subsidies

Medicaid work requirements

Raising the Social Security retirement age

Raising federal taxes

Clark County lands bill

1. Congress should pass the SAVE America Act.

Horsford: No. "This bill threatens the freedom to vote to solve a problem that does not exist," Horsford wrote, noting it would eliminate options to register to vote by mail or online and require identification beyond driver's licenses as well as military and tribal IDs that many eligible voters rely on. He said the bill would hand "Nevada's voter rolls to DHS [the Department of Homeland Security], a federal takeover of our elections." 

Whipple: Yes. "Voting should be easy, but cheating should be impossible," Whipple wrote. He has previously called securing elections one of his top issues. 

2. All undocumented immigrants should be deported.

Horsford: Mostly no — though Horsford wrote this was "not a yes or no answer." "Deporting every undocumented immigrant is not serious policy," he said. He strongly supports  "securing the border and removing dangerous criminals," but said, "indiscriminate mass deportation that sweeps up hardworking people and terrorizes communities makes us less safe, not more." He supports pathways to legal status and noted that immigrants in Nevada "keep our economy running."

Whipple: In the middle. Whipple wrote that he supports exceptions for those younger than 18, students "currently enrolled in college with good records" and "families who have immediate members like a spouse or minor children in the country legally." He said undocumented immigrants who have committed felonies, particularly violent ones, should be deported first.  

3. President Trump's tariffs have harmed Nevada.

Horsford: Yes. Horsford said tariffs have raised prices. "The Supreme Court ruled he lacked the authority to impose them under emergency powers, yet Nevadans already paid," he wrote. "Big corporations can recover through years of litigation; small businesses cannot." Horsford has introduced the RELIEF Act, which would refund tariff costs to small businesses within 90 days. 

Whipple: In the middle. "We have all felt the pressure from tariffs," Whipple wrote. "I believe in the free market, but also want to protect American and Nevada workers, and fair trade. This is one of the tools in the President's tool box to restore fairness and protect workers. That said, I will call balls and strikes as I see it on tariffs or any other issue." 

4. America's ongoing war in Iran is worth the costs.

Horsford: No. Horsford said there is "no clear strategy and no exit plan" in a war Congress did not authorize and that has cost American servicemembers' lives. "Nevadans are paying too," Horsford wrote. "Gas is near $4.76 a gallon today, among the highest in the nation, driven up by the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz."

Whipple: Mostly no. "I understand the purpose and the rationale behind the military strikes, but believe we need to be conservative in our approach toward using our troops overseas while supporting our allies," Whipple wrote. 

5. The United States should reduce its support for Israel.

Horsford: In the middle. "I support Israel's security and defensive systems like Iron Dome," Horsford wrote. "But support cannot mean a blank check for Netanyahu's government. Military assistance must comply with U.S. law, protect civilians and advance American security interests. I support conditioning or withholding assistance that fails those tests while pursuing lasting peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians."

Whipple: No. "I support Israel and our longstanding support for that democratic nation and their sovereignty," Whipple wrote. "They are an important and strategic ally."

6. Congress should reinstate Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies.

Horsford: Yes. Horsford noted many Nevadans have been priced out of coverage as premiums skyrocketed since the subsidies expired in January. 

Whipple: Mostly no. "The Affordable Care Act is set up for those who make too much for assistance programs like Medicaid," Whipple wrote. He added that he sees Medicaid as a vital part of the social safety net, but thinks it would be worthwhile to "divert 15% of the Medicaid budget away from healthy, single, working-aged men" to "channel it toward more urgent safety-net needs." His campaign clarified that he was referring to vulnerable populations such as low-income children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

7. I support the 80-hour monthly work requirements for Medicaid eligibility enacted last year.

Horsford: No. "These 80-hour rules do not create jobs," Horsford wrote. "They strip coverage through red tape from people who are working, job-hunting, or too sick to file paperwork. That's why I joined colleagues in pressing CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] to fix a rule that punishes patients with cancer and other serious illnesses."

Whipple: Yes. Whipple said he also supports existing exemptions for caregivers and parents, pregnant women, people who are medically frail or living with disabilities, those in substance abuse treatment, those younger than 19 or 65 and older, and special populations such as disabled veterans and Native Americans. 

8. Congress should raise the Social Security retirement age above 67.

Horsford: No. Horsford said that raising the retirement age would be "a benefit cut, plain and simple." Instead, he supports the Social Security 2100 Act, which aims to boost solvency by eliminating the $184,500 cap on the payroll tax and adding a tax on investments for those making more than $400,000.

Whipple: No.

9. Congress should raise federal tax rates.

Horsford: In the middle — "depends on who." Horsford said he supports higher taxes "on billionaires and mega-corporations that have long dodged their fair share." He continued, "I do not support across-the-board tax increases. Working families and small businesses should pay less, not more. The goal is a fairer tax code where those at the very top finally pay what they owe and everyone else catches a break."

Whipple: No. 

10. I support Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Rep. Susie Lee's (D-NV) Clark County lands bill.

Horsford: Yes. Horsford co-sponsors the bill. He noted that it is bipartisan and said it would open "land for affordable housing and new jobs while permanently protecting more than 2 million acres for conservation and recreation."

Whipple: Yes.