Pete Aguilar represents the 31st Congressional District of California. He was most recently re-elected in 2020 and serves on the House Appropriations Committee. In the 117th Congress, Rep. Aguilar holds the leadership position of Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
Raising his family in the community his family has called home for four generations, Representative Aguilar understands the challenges that Inland Empire families face today. He started his first job at the age of twelve, working with his grandfather at the San Bernardino County Courthouse cafeteria. He then put himself through college with the assistance of student loans and federal grants, and later established a life in public service to give back to his community.
As a product of public schools and the father of two young boys attending public schools, I know first-hand that a quality education is vital to our future.
With the help of a federal Pell Grant, I worked my way through college. that’s why I believe every student who works hard should be able to afford a college education. Last year, I wrote a bill to help ease the student loan burden on students and their families, and I’ve been fighting back against Republican efforts to cut Pell Grants, on which so many Inland Empire students rely.
I’m proud to have earned the support of the California Teachers Association for my commitment to improving our public education system, expanding access to vocational programs and fighting to make college more affordable.