Pete Aguilar

Pete Aguilar is a U.S. Representative representing California's 33rd Congressional District, which includes portions of San Bernardino County. A member of the Democratic Party, Aguilar was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 and assumed office on January 3, 2015. He currently serves in a high-ranking leadership role as the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, making him one of the most senior Latino members in congressional history. Before his tenure in Congress, Aguilar served as the Mayor of Redlands, California, from 2010 to 2014, and was a member of the Redlands City Council starting in 2006. Aguilar is a fourth-generation resident of the Inland Empire and grew up in a working-class family in San Bernardino. He attended the University of Redlands, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in government and business administration, working multiple jobs and utilizing student loans and federal grants to fund his education. Prior to his career in elected office, he gained experience in the private sector as a small business owner and worked as an executive for a community credit union, as well as serving in the Inland Empire Regional Office of the Governor of California. In Congress, Aguilar has focused on legislative priorities such as job creation, infrastructure investment, and support for middle-class families. He serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and has been a prominent member of the House Democratic leadership, previously serving as the Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus. He gained national attention for his role as a member of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, where he helped lead public hearings focused on the events surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

Representative Aguilar maintains a legislative platform focused on economic equity, healthcare access, and immigration reform. He is a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has advocated for lowering the cost of prescription drugs and protecting vital programs like Social Security and Medicare. In terms of the economy, he emphasizes a 'fairer economy' that supports small businesses and job growth, having supported the Inflation Reduction Act to lower household costs and invest in clean energy. On immigration, Aguilar supports comprehensive reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals, particularly 'Dreamers,' and has co-sponsored the U.S. Citizenship Act. He advocates for border security through increased manpower and technology rather than a physical wall. Regarding the environment, he supports significant investments to combat climate change and transition to a modern energy economy. His foreign policy views often emphasize diplomatic engagement and oversight, and he has been critical of military spending that he views as diverting funds from domestic priorities such as healthcare and infrastructure.