Rob Strickler

Seeking Office: Representative in Congress

Party: Democratic

Primary Ballot: Democratic

District: 1st Congressional District

2026 Democratic Primary Questionnaire Responses

At the Bucks County Beacon, we believe informed voters are the bedrock of democracy. We asked every candidate in the PA-01 primary to clarify their positions on the issues that matter most to our community. Below are their unedited submissions. Most questions included a multiple choice answer, with the choices being Yes, No, or Other/Neutral, along with an explanation for the stance.

1. Healthcare

Do you support a “Medicare for All” single-payer system?

Yes
Every man, woman and child in America deserves to have comprehensive health care insurance. All advanced economy nations have this – why not us? I’m going to fight for the creation and funding of a quality, affordable national public option health plan as an alternative to private insurance. A public option will ensure real competition in the marketplace that will force private insurers to adapt or go extinct.

While I ultimately believe single payer public insurance is the best solution, if the public option meets the needs of our nation, then great. We need do no more. But my ultimate goal would be to simply have Medicare for All, which I believe is the best way to control costs, including preventive care that heads off illness before it becomes severe and costly to treat, better mental health care before reaching a crisis, and healthier living guidance. Plus it would be easier to understand and navigate.

Healthcare should not be a for-profit commodity. It should be run as a not-for-profit endeavor, with the focus on providing the best care in a way that does not increase our tax burden.

Do you support adding a public option to the Affordable Care Act, specifically as outlined in the CHOICE Act?

Yes
As stated above, I fully support an affordable, comprehensive public option to provide a viable alternative to private insurance. We pay far too much for health insurance in the USA – nearly double what other advanced economy countries pay. That's because private insurance corporate PACs donate a lot of money to congressional candidates to ensure they continue record profits while providing worse and worse care.

Ultimately, I think a Medicare for All solution is best. But a truly affordable public option would go a long way towards cutting healthcare costs for American families.

2 Immigration & Federal Oversight

The Future of ICE

 

Do you support the abolishment or disbanding of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?

Yes
Under the Trump administration, ICE has become a para-military style agency staffed by ill-trained "agents" who whip out their gun if someone simply yells at them. The killing of Renee Goode and Alex Pretti, along with the outright vicious attacks against both American citizens and undocument people have brought shame and dishonor upon us all. There is no reforming ICE now. That would be like trying to reform the gestapo in post-war Germany. It must be abolished.

Accountability Measures

 

Do you support a federal mandate for ICE agents to wear body cameras and a ban on “masking” (face coverings) during enforcement actions?

Yes
Though I think ICE needs to be abolished, wearing body cameras would provide more accountability and hopefully make these rogue agents think twice before brutalizing American citizens. And no true law enforcement official wears a mask.

Sensitive Locations

 

Do you support the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (H.R. 1061), which would codify a ban on ICE enforcement within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, and hospitals, regardless of current administration directives?

Yes
Again, abolish ICE. In the meantime, keep these thugs away from children, people seeking medical care and people attending worship services. Keep them away from courtrooms as well.

Qualified Immunity

 

Do you support the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026 (S. 3625) to remove the legal shield for federal, state, and local officers?

Yes
If a federal officer willfully abuses his authority and/or the civil rights of Americans or other people in this country, they should not be protected from being sued by the offended individual.

The Dream Act of 2025

 

Do you support the passage of the Dream Act of 2025?

Yes
Yes. People who were brought here when they were children and have lived here all their lives, and know America as their home, and have followed our laws, should be afforded legal status and be on a path to citizenship.

3. Economic Policy & Taxation

Taxation of Wealth

 

Do you support implementing a wealth tax on the top 1% of earners?

Yes
For fifty years or more the tax code has been set to make it easier for people who already have a lot of money, to accumulate even more while people on the low end of the income scale foot the bill. We must restructure our tax code to address the tremendous wealth gap that now concentrates $50 million in control of a tiny segment of our population. The founders warned that this is a dangerous threat to our democracy.

This concentration of wealth has also allowed out national debt to expand at an alarming rate. We are on an unsustainable path and we need to address this issue immediately.

Corporate Outsourcing

 

Do you support “tax-on-exit” legislation for corporations that move production to foreign countries?

Yes
Yes. Another area of our tax code that must be addressed is corporate taxes. We give so much away to corporations in the mis-guided belief that it will benefit America and will ultimately trickle down to average Americans. Neither has proven to be true. We've allowed corporations to plunder our nations wealth out of fear that they might move their business overseas. We can't be held hostage to this. Corporations exist to benefit us. To benefit society. Not the other way around.

Tariffs

 

Do you support the use of broad-based tariffs as a primary tool of international policy?

Other/Neutral
The Trump administration's tariff policy has driven some of our best trading partners, like Canada and others, into the arms of China. It's also alienated our European allies, causing them to make plans for a post-America world economy. I've no objection to targeted tariffs to ensure fair treatment from countries that abuse us. But blanket tariffs are simply foolish and short-sighted.

4. Foreign Policy

International Accountability

 

Do you believe Congress should pursue formal investigations or legal action regarding alleged war crimes or extrajudicial killings involving U.S. officials?

Yes
Of course. It's the job of our government to protect American citizens wherever they are, to the best of our ability.

Sovereignty & Oversight

 

Should Congress act to limit U.S. intervention in the sovereignty of other nations (e.g., Venezuela, Greenland, Ukraine, Israel & Gaza)?

Yes
Absolutely. I never thought I'd live to see the day where an American president openly talks about taking by force the territory of any nation, let alone a NATO ally. It's shameful. If Greenland, Canada or any other nation wishes to pursue a joining with the USA in a peaceful, uncoerced way, I'm all for it. Frankly, I'd love to see Canada joined with the USA not as additional states, but as a new nation, with a new, improved Constitution, updated for the 21st century. If Greenland wants in, that's fine too. But threatening them with military force or tariffs if they don't is frankly un-American.

Donald Trump's call for ethnic cleansing in Gaza was monstrous, and I believe it led to the increased brutality of Netanyahu's IDF, causing the starvation and death's of innocent men, women and children. The words of a US President matter, and Trump's statements on Gaza and Ukraine in support of Putin have caused needless deaths.

5. Climate & Environment

Climate Action

 

What are your top three concrete policy proposals to address the climate crisis while ensuring economic stability for workers in Bucks County?

1. Congress should restore the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding by passing a law specifically affirming that greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The revoking of the Endangerment Finding will open the floodgates regarding greenhouse gases and global warming. It's a disaster for the environment and will negatively affect world economies, agriculture, increase severe weather and more.
2. Increase investment in green energy solutions. This will create jobs while cutting carbon in our atmosphere.
3. Unfortunately, I believe we're past the point where simply decreasing greenhouse gases will cool the planet enough to avoid the effects of fossil fuels. So we must also employ policies that actively pull carbon out of the atmosphere as well as reflect the sun's heat away from Earth, at least temporarily. There are many plans for both objective, but they must be part of our efforts to address global warming.

6. Leadership & Local Priorities

Party Leadership

 

If elected, would you support Hakeem Jeffries to continue as House Democratic Leader or someone else? Please explain your reasoning in the context of representing a district like PA-01.

No, I don't think I would support Hakeem Jefferies. His leadership style has been reactive, not proactive. We need forward thinkers in leadership positions. Ones who have vision, and the values and character and resolve to truly lead. We have too many Democrats in Congress who put party first. Unfortunately, the local Democratic party is actively supporting and promoting just such a "party first" politician to be their candidate for Congress. We don't need more politicians in Congress. We need leaders.

Local Priority

 

Outside of national headlines, what is the single most important local issue facing Bucks County residents today, and how do you plan to address it?

When I speak to Bucks and Montgomery County residents in this district about getting private money out of elections, they immediately respond to that with enthusiasm. Everyone knows, deep in their bones, that corporations and billionaires are buying congress members and presidents with donations. They pay millions every election cycle to ensure laws are passed that ensure they can make billions.

When I explain to them that getting money out of our elections means we will finally have universal healthcare, childcare, affordable housing, solvent social security, a fair tax code and a sustainable environment, they immediately get it. Money out of elections may not be on the front burner for most people, but they know that replacing private donations with publicly financed grants for which candidates would have to qualify will go a long way towards making their lives better.

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