Highlights from 2025 include answering 55,691 constituent letters and calls, returning over $2.5 million in federal dollars to constituents and highlighting nearly $90 million in grant funding for the Inland Empire
SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar issued a report to Inland Empire residents outlining how he fought for California over the course of 2025. Rep. Aguilar prioritized securing resources for the region, lowering costs and fighting back against costly and reckless Republican policies.
“As 2025 comes to a close, I am proud to share some of the ways I’ve fought to deliver for Inland Empire families and to improve our Californian community,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “This year, I’ve fought for the issues that matter most to the hardworking people I represent: lowering costs, protecting access to quality, affordable health care and strengthening our economy. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the community that my family has called home for generations, and I will keep fighting for our region in 2026 and beyond.”
During 2025, Rep. Aguilar delivered for the Inland Empire in a variety of ways:
Casework:
- Helped 647 Inland Empire residents resolve outstanding issues with federal agencies, such as accessing the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Returned nearly $2.6 million the federal government owed to Inland Empire residents by federal agencies, including IRS refunds, veterans’ benefits and Social Security payments.
Community Funding:
- Announced nearly $90 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire, including funding for public safety, education, transportation, cybersecurity, and public health projects. In total, California’s 33rd Congressional District received more than $190 million in federal funding for 44 grant projects. Specifically, this includes:
- $66,032,669 for San Bernardino County’s Head Start Programs to ensure children in the Inland Empire have access to quality early childhood education programs.
- $9,360,000 for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to hire and train 21 new firefighters, helping to expand the region’s 24-hour on-call fire response coverage and improving safety in the Inland Empire.
- $7,397,004 for the San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) Authority’s Airport Improvement Program to reconstruct a portion of the high-traffic taxiway and repaint and slurry the airport’s runways.
- $5,306,794 for the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to expand access to and improve HIV prevention, early intervention and treatment services for underserved communities in San Bernardino County.
- $1,000,000 in federal grant funding for California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside (UCR), to expand and enhance artificial intelligence (AI) education and workforce development in the Inland Empire.
- $300,000 for CSUSB to enhance its research into the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the cybersecurity workforce. This funding will enable educators to adapt their curriculum as AI technology rapidly evolves.
Legislative Achievements:
- Enacted the University Centers for Growth, Development, and Prosperity (GDP) Act into law. The law codifies the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) University Center Economic Development Program and will boost economic development, create jobs and promote innovation and entrepreneurship at schools like Cal State San Bernardino.
- Passed legislation in the Appropriations Committee that would allow recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, also known as Dreamers, to work in the United States Congress.
- Passed legislation in the Appropriations Committee allowing DACA recipients to work in the United States federal government. The legislation now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives.
- Introduced the No Hungry Kids in Schools Act to expand access to meals for every student in America by allowing states to provide no-cost meal programs in public schools.
- Introduced the Housing Stability for Dreamers Act to clarify that DACA recipients can access mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Introduced the Affordable Housing Resident Services Act to provide funding to owners of affordable housing properties to offer supportive services for their residents.
- Introduced the bipartisan National GIS Day Resolution to designate November 19, 2025, as National Geographic Information System (GIS) Day and encourage the use of GIS to help drive economic growth and foster a more informed and connected world.
Community Outreach:
- Attended nearly 300 events throughout the Inland Empire.
- Hosted community events for constituents. Event highlights from this year include:
- Held five town halls attended by nearly 900 constituents to listen to their concerns and share updates with them about his work in Congress.
- Hosted a U.S. Post Office dedication ceremony to honor the late Dr. Margaret B. Hill, a longtime educator and community advocate in the Inland Empire.
- Co-hosted a Vietnam War Veterans Commemoration to present local Vietnam War veterans with the Vietnam Veterans Lapel Pin provided by the Department of Defense to honor them for their service and provide a lasting memento expressing the nation’s gratitude.
- Hosted the third annual Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Fairwith Fontana Unified School District for students to connect them with local employers providing good-paying career opportunities that don’t require a college degree in the Inland Empire.
- Hosted an annual Service Academy Night for local high school students interested in attending a United States Service Academy.
- Responded to 55,691 emails, letters and phone calls from constituents about a wide range of issues important to residents.