Pete Aguilar — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in California, 2026

Representative Pete Aguilar supports comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship, and advocates for Dreamers. He supports the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Aguilar also authored a resolution to highlight the importance of USCIS and reduce the immigration case backlog. He opposed the Homeland Security appropriations bill and voted against additional funding for ICE, DHS, and Border Patrol, citing concerns about ICE's conduct and calling for reforms and the removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

““Our message for President Donald Trump is strong and simple: remove Kristi Noem and reform ICE now,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar.”

Pete Aguilar supports the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and voted for a three-year extension of ACA health care subsidies to make insurance more affordable. He opposed a Senate bill that he stated did not adequately address the healthcare crisis or affordability. Aguilar advocates for policies that lower healthcare costs, including a permanent Health Care Tax Credit, and criticizes Republican proposals he believes would raise premiums for families.

““If Republicans allow these tax credits to expire, hardworking families in my district will see their health insurance premiums skyrocket. I’ve heard from residents about how they won’t be able to afford life-saving care—people with cancer who rely on this coverage to pay for their chemotherapy, caregivers who have to take care of their disabled family member full time and small business owners who won’t be able to afford any sort of health insurance. This is unacceptable.” - Rep. Pete Aguilar, from 'Rep. Aguilar Highlights Impact of Republicans’ Harmful Health Care Policies on the Inland Empire' on aguilar.house.gov, October 31, 2025.”

Representative Pete Aguilar supports climate action and environmental protection, citing a responsibility to future generations, conserving resources, and mitigating the climate crisis. He voted for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which invest in climate change combat and infrastructure. He has a 94% rating from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), reflecting his support for initiatives to reduce pollution and opposition to dismantling environmental protections.

“As Mayor of Redlands, I’ve fought for more sustainable development and programs to reduce the effects of climate change. I led efforts to encourage greater energy efficiency and conservation, including green building and climate-friendly purchasing, and strongly support a new passenger rail line to help reduce heavy traffic and pollution." (Pete Aguilar, Ballotpedia)”

Pete Aguilar supports abortion rights. He voted for the Ensuring Women’s Right to Freedom Act (H.R. 8297) to protect interstate travel for abortion care. He also voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296), aiming to restore the right to abortion nationwide. Additionally, he voted for the Right to Contraception Act (H.R. 8373) to codify contraception rights. Aguilar is endorsed by Reproductive Freedom for All and Population Connection Action Fund.

Pete Aguilar expresses concern over "endless adventurism" and "failed nation-building," stating America is "over the $3 trillion we've spent" on such efforts. He advocates for War Powers Reform to reassert congressional authority, requiring a debate and vote before committing troops abroad. Aguilar asserts that under Donald Trump, America became "less safe and more expensive" due to these policies.

“America is over endless adventurism and using our military... We're going to push for War Powers Reform. We're going to reassert our constitutional authority, because it is not just our right, it is our duty to stand in the breach and take the votes and tell any President, Republican or Democrat, that you can't continue to send our men and women around the world into harm's way without a debate and vote in this body." - Chairman Pete Aguilar, Press Release, January 13, 2026.”

Pete Aguilar supports strengthening public education, equal access, and college affordability, emphasizing the protection of Pell Grants and low-interest loans. He voted against the A-PLUS Amendment to the Student Success Act due to concerns about transparency with federal education funds. He also championed a bill signed into law to expand the EDA University Center program nationwide, utilizing higher education institutions for economic development in distressed regions.

“As a product of public schools and the father of two young boys, I know that quality education is vital to our future. In recent years, funding for early childhood education has been slashed, class sizes have ballooned and our teachers face greater challenges than ever. We must improve our public education system at all levels so that every child has the opportunity to succeed." — Pete Aguilar, OnTheIssues.org”

Pete Aguilar supported the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which focuses on gun violence prevention. He voted for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, prohibiting high-capacity magazines and semi-automatic assault weapons, and helped pass the Active Shooter Alert (H.R. 6538). He advocates for legislation to save lives and remove certain weapons from communities, acknowledging the trauma from gun violence. Aguilar also received an endorsement from Giffords, a gun violence prevention organization.