Amnesty Bill Co-Sponsors Lose Re-Election Amid GOP Midterm Losses
Eight GOP lawmakers who backed an amnesty bill lost their House races after midterm elections.
2 min read
Republican voters have seen a significant shift in their political landscape following the midterm elections, with eight GOP lawmakers who co-sponsored the DIGNIDAD Act of 2025 losing their bids for re-election. The DIGNIDAD Act, which was presented as immigration reform, was widely criticized for its amnesty provisions and ultimately led to the downfall of several pro-amnesty Republicans.
Midterm Election Results Impact Pro-Amnesty Republicans
The midterm elections, often referred to as a ‘tsunami’ for Democrats, resulted in the loss of GOP control over Congress. This shift had a profound impact on the group of legislators who had co-sponsored the DIGNIDAD Act, an amnesty bill that was seen as a betrayal of the party’s base. As of Thursday afternoon, eight of these co-sponsors had lost their House races.
Among the defeated lawmakers were Reps. Mike Lawler of New York, David G. Valadao and Young Kim of California, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Gabe Evans of Colorado, Monica De La Cruz of Texas, Jen A. Kiggans of Virginia, and Zach Nunn of Iowa. Kim lost to a fellow Republican, while Evans, Valadao, and De La Cruz lost by double digits. Additionally, a Democrat won the seat of outgoing Republican Rep. Don Bacon in Nebraska.
Support for the DIGNIDAD Act Faces Strong Opposition
Despite the efforts of Rep. Maria Salazar of Florida, who originally sponsored the DIGNIDAD Act in July 2025, the bill faced strong opposition from Republicans. Salazar initially claimed that the bill would not provide for amnesty, but her efforts were met with skepticism. A prominent conservative even accused her of supporting ‘slave labor.’
By February, Salazar had secured 39 co-sponsors, including 19 fellow Republicans. However, the backlash against the bill was evident in the election results. Of the 20 total Republicans who co-sponsored the DIGNIDAD Act, three chose to retire rather than seek re-election, leaving 15 pro-amnesty Republicans up for re-election in 2026. Out of these, eight have already lost their seats.
Uncalled Races and the Future of Pro-Amnesty Republicans
Even as the results became clear, several races remained uncalled, including Mario Diaz-Balert of Florida, who led his Democrat challenger by fewer than 2,000 votes. Salazar herself faced the possibility of defeat, with her lead in her district slightly over 1,000 votes. In fact, of the 18 pro-amnesty House Republicans with voting privileges, only five will certainly return to Congress in 2027.
These election outcomes signal a clear shift in public sentiment, with GOP voters seeking accountability for the party’s leadership. The collective defeat of these amnesty bill co-sponsors has provided a much-needed boost to the party’s morale.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
