Western Journal reported that eight Republican House members who co‑sponsored the 2025 DIGNIDAD Act have lost their re‑election bids, citing Associated Press race calls as of Thursday.
The outlet named Reps. Mike Lawler (NY), David G. Valadao (CA), Young Kim (CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Gabe Evans (CO), Monica De La Cruz (TX), Jen A. Kiggans (VA), and Zach Nunn (IA) as defeated.
According to the same report, Kim lost to a fellow Republican, while Evans, Valadao, and De La Cruz were defeated by double‑digit margins. Western Journal also said a Democrat won outgoing Republican Rep. Don Bacon’s Nebraska seat.
Two Florida races uncalled
Western Journal noted that Rep. Mario Diaz‑Balart (FL) led his Democratic challenger by fewer than 2,000 votes and that DIGNIDAD sponsor Rep. Maria Salazar (FL) was ahead by slightly more than 1,000 votes, with both contests uncalled as of Thursday.
The bill at the center
Western Journal said Rep. Maria Salazar introduced the DIGNIDAD Act in July 2025 and quoted her saying, “The economy needs them,” referring to illegal aliens. The outlet characterized the proposal as an amnesty measure; it also reported that during an April push, Salazar argued the bill did not grant amnesty. The story added that one conservative social media user accused her of supporting “slave labor.”
By February, Salazar had secured 39 co‑sponsors, including 19 Republicans, according to Western Journal. The outlet counted 20 Republican co‑sponsors in total, saying three retired rather than seek re‑election and two were non‑voting delegates from Pacific islands—leaving 15 Republican co‑sponsors on the ballot this year.
What Western Journal says the numbers show
Of those 15, eight had “already gone down to defeat,” Western Journal wrote, citing AP calls. Excluding the two delegates, the outlet said only five of 18 Republican co‑sponsors with voting privileges were certain to return in 2027 as of Thursday’s tally.
The Patriot United has not independently verified these race outcomes or the co‑sponsor counts.