Press Releases
May 19, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Passes National Security Amendments through House of Representatives
Last night, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, which included four national security amendments submitted by Rep. Pete Aguilar. The NDAA is an annual defense policy bill that directs the United States’ defense programs for the fiscal year. While Aguilar was glad to support the bill, which supports the nation’s defense priorities and authorizes funding for troops, he was deeply disturbed by the inclusion of a hateful anti-LGBT amendment that was added in the committee markup. The amendment, now provision, offered by Rep. Steve Russell (R-Oklahoma) allows federal contractors to discriminate against the LGBT community by claiming a “religious exemption” to get around rules that bar discrimination in hiring by federal contractors. House Republicans blocked a bipartisan amendment to remove the language from getting a vote on the House floor.
May 18, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Passes Critical Cybersecurity Amendment through House of Representatives
Last night, Rep. Pete Aguilar passed a critical cybersecurity amendment through the House of Representatives, which was added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. The NDAA is an annual defense policy bill that directs the United States defense programs. Aguilar’s amendment establishes a pilot program to expedite the process for individuals in the cybersecurity field to become officers in the United States Army and the United States Air Force. This would incentivize students graduating from schools like California State University, San Bernardino that specialize in cybersecurity training, to enter the armed forces and become “cyberwarriors” quickly and efficiently.
May 13, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Supports Bipartisan Measures to Combat Opioid Epidemic
This week, Rep. Pete Aguilar joined with Democrat and Republican members of the House of Representatives to pass over a dozen bills to help combat the opioid epidemic that has affected communities across California and the nation. While Rep. Aguilar was pleased to support the bipartisan legislation, he was disappointed that none of the bills allocate funding in any capacity to expand treatment for addiction that would save American lives.
May 9, 2016
Press Release
Rep. Aguilar Holds Spring Academy Day for Inland Empire Students
On Saturday, Rep. Pete Aguilar hosted Spring Academy Day for Inland Empire students interested in attending U.S. Service Academies. Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy spoke at the information session where they addressed a number of topics, including admission timelines, admission requirements and preparation, the application process, course loads, available degrees and expectations.
April 28, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Passes Critical National Security Amendments through House Armed Services Committee
Rep. Pete Aguilar passed three amendments through the House Armed Services Committee’s annual markup of the National Defense Authorization Act. Aguilar’s amendments help veterans translate the skills they acquired in the military to jobs at home, invest in Hispanic-Serving institutions, and improve cybersecurity training.
April 26, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Announces Congressional Art Competition Winner
Last night, Rep. Pete Aguilar hosted an awards ceremony and reception to announce the winner of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition, also known as the Artistic Discovery Contest, a national art challenge that is sponsored in congressional districts across the country. All high school students living in California’s 31st Congressional District were encouraged to participate in the art competition, which saw over sixty submissions. The theme for this year’s art contest was “CommUNITY.” Faith Antillon, a sophomore from Fontana High School, was awarded first place.
April 22, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Convenes Roundtable with Major Employers to Discuss Jobs and Economic Growth in the Inland Empire
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar hosted a meeting with some of the Inland Empire’s largest employers. The roundtable focused on what improvements can be made at the federal level to help alleviate unnecessary burdens facing businesses that employ large numbers of Inland Empire residents.
April 21, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Introduces Bill to Help Inland Empire Small Businesses Expand
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar introduced his latest bill, H.R. 5029, the Small Business Lending Assistance Act of 2016, which eliminates fees for certain Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to firms in areas with higher unemployment rates to help small businesses access capital. Both San Bernardino and Riverside counties would benefit from this bill, allowing Inland Empire small businesses to get a much needed economic leg up.
April 20, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Announces Spring Academy Day for Inland Empire Students
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that on Saturday, May 7th, his office will hold a Spring Academy Day for Inland Empire students interested in attending U.S. Service Academies. Representatives from the United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, United States Air Force Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy will be on hand to answer questions.
April 18, 2016
Press Release
Aguilar Stands with California Immigrant Families As SCOTUS Hears Oral Arguments In Crucial Immigration Case
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar met with immigration activists and California residents who would be eligible for the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program under President Obama’s executive action. Only feet away, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Texas v. United States case, which seeks to block the president’s action. President Obama issued the executive action in November 2014. The order would shield millions of immigrant families from being torn apart.