Gilbert Ray Cisneros

Cisneros Leads New Dems to Lay Out National Security Approach to Restore America’s Strength, Security, and Status

Position: The New Democrat Coalition opposes the Trump Administration's military approach to Iran, arguing it has weakened alliances, endangered servicemembers, and wasted taxpayer resources. They advocate for realigning defense strategy toward China as the primary strategic threat, strengthening alliances, and requiring congressional oversight of military actions.

Today, as we near the 60 day mark in the war with Iran, the New Democrat Coalition National Security Working Group, led by Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31), penned a letter to President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to urge an “immediate course correction” on the Administration’s national security approach. “Over the last year, the Trump Administration’s chaos and aggression have made the American people less safe, the world less stable, and the United States weaker on the world stage,” said National Security Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros. “The American people are sick and tired of paying the price for Trump’s unjustified military actions, whether through higher prices at the pump, billions of taxpayer dollars wasted, or through the lives of the American servicemembers we have tragically lost. All the while, our critical alliances have grown weaker, and our adversaries are growing stronger. I’m proud to stand with my New Dem colleagues in laying out a different approach that will put America on a better path forward. Together, we’re working to restore American military strength, our national security, and our status as the leader of the free world.” The letter argues that the Administration’s chaotic and reckless approach has endangered both domestic and global security by waging open-ended conflicts without legal justification or clear objectives, alienating our closest allies, emboldening our greatest adversaries, and severely damaging our military readiness. In contrast to the chaos of the Trump Administration’s current posture, Congressman Cisneros and National Security Working Group Members lay out a new direction for American national security that would instead center the path forward around four commonsense priorities: Reversing the damage caused by the alienation of our allies and strengthening the tools that allow the U.S. to counter adversarial influence. Realigning defense planning to focus on the People’s Republic of China, the most serious strategic threat we face today. Reaffirming the military's apolitical nature and ensuring resources are used to support servicemembers. Requiring the Administration to work in good faith with Congress and commit to respecting and restoring institutional checks and balances, especially in matters of war. The signees include all Members of the New Dem National Security Working Group, including: Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31) Defense Task Force Chair Ed Case (HI-01) Diplomacy Task Force Chair Eugene Vindman (VA-07) Veterans Task Force Chair Herb Conaway (NJ-03) Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06) Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) Read the full letter here, and below: As Members of the New Democrat Coalition National Security Working Group, we write in opposition to the Administration's approach to national security and to urge an immediate course correction. At a moment of profound global instability, the U.S. needs a strategy that advances our national interests. Instead, the Administration’s current approach–marked by a reckless and open-ended conflict in Iran, chaos within the Department of Defense, and the alienation of our allies–has already resulted in the loss of U.S. servicemembers and continues to place Americans and our global and domestic security at risk. Over the past year, this Administration has treated national security as a partisan political matter, rather than a shared national responsibility, and has failed to provide Congress with timely and transparent information on key national security decisions. The result of these actions is a national security posture that is neither principled nor sustainable. There is no doubt that our defense is strongest when it is supported by a bipartisan coalition and grounded in our country’s democratic values. Members of the New Democrat Coalition National Security Working Group believe that there is a better path forward. We urge the Administration to halt the current course and adopt a strategy centered around the following priorities: Reverse the damage caused by the alienation of our allies and strengthen the tools that allow the U.S. to counter adversarial influence. On the campaign trail, President Trump repeatedly promised an “America First” approach, but the actions of this Administration are best described as an “America Alone” strategy. The Administration’s reckless tariff policy has strained relationships with some of our key allies and sent a chilling message that the U.S. is an unreliable economic and strategic partner, which has already pushed several of our allies to align more closely with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). At the end of January 2026, a delegation of Canadian and European leaders traveled to China seeking to deepen their economic ties, which marked the first time a British official visited China since 2018 and Canada’s first visit to the country in over a decade. This is not American strength; it is self-inflicted erosion of U.S. leadership that weakens our leverage and makes it harder to compete with our adversaries. If we are to face today’s global challenges effectively, we must do so in collaboration with our partners, including NATO, European allies, and Indo-Pacific partners through frameworks like Five Eyes, the Quad, and AUKUS. We must be unequivocal in rejecting any alignment with Russia’s war of aggression, ensuring that Ukraine has the support it needs to win the ongoing war with Russia. Otherwise, we risk emboldening an aggressive authoritarian regime and setting a dangerous precedent for dictators around the world to follow. In addition, the U.S. must reinvest in American soft power by restoring programs at the United States Agency for International Development and the United States Agency for Global Media that help build strong public health systems and support resilient democracies worldwide. This reinvestment will ensure we are better able to curb authoritarian and adversarial influence and prevent conflicts and humanitarian disasters before they even begin. Realign defense planning to reflect today’s most serious strategic threat: the People’s Republic of China. This Administration’s escalation of the Iran conflict is fiscally irresponsible. The Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates that the first 32 days of the Iran conflict cost $27-28 billion. In the meantime, Americans continue to suffer the consequences, with gas prices reaching over $4/gallon and unlikely to drop for months. The conflict with Iran has also highlighted the fragility of our defense supply chains and the need to address munitions shortages, which have been further depleted by various campaigns the Administration has carried out, including in Venezuela and Iran. This is a failure of strategy and a costly pattern of engaging in conflicts without a plan, placing American lives and taxpayer resources at risk. U.S. defense planning should prioritize deterring and strategically competing with the PRC. In order to meet this challenge, we need to invest in strengthening the defense industrial base through modernization and innovation efforts, enhancing domestic production capacity, replenishing critical weapons and munitions inventory, and streamlining the acquisition process that’s often too slow and rigid for today’s security environment. In addition, we must encourage small businesses to build, test, and scale new products and technologies by removing barriers to participation and expanding access to land for testing purposes. Reaffirm the military's apolitical nature and ensure resources are used to support servicemembers. The Administration’s increasing politicization of the military creates serious dangers for servicemembers. The apolitical nature of the military ensures that its loyalty rests solely with the Constitution, not any party or individual. However, the Administration continues to undermine this nonpartisan institution by firing top generals, using uniformed servicemembers as a backdrop for partisan messaging, and deploying national guard members into U.S. cities for political theater. Speaking at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico in September 2025, President Trump suggested he intends to use U.S. cities as “training grounds for our military” to target “the enemy from within.” Using armed forces to advance partisan messaging and domestic political narratives is corrosive to civil-military norms and exposes servicemembers to unnecessary harm. The Administration must take concrete steps to reaffirm the professionalism and apolitical nature of the U.S. military. This includes ensuring servicemembers are never given unlawful orders that could place them in ethical or legal jeopardy and preventing the use of the military against U.S. citizens for political purposes. Just as important is the need to ensure that we are investing our resources to help U.S. servicemembers and their families have the quality of life that they deserve instead of wasting valuable resources on meaningless changes in Department names. The Administration must take steps to address the lack of affordable housing for servicemembers, increase access to childcare, provide support for military spouses, and invest in mental health and primary prevention initiatives. In addition, we need to seriously invest in resources to help servicemembers leaving uniformed service find meaningful civilian employment and skill-matching opportunities. The Administration must work in good faith with Congress and commit to respecting and restoring institutional checks and balances, especially in matters of war. After declaring "Operation Midnight Hammer” a success and affirming that Iran’s nuclear program “was obliterated” in June, Americans awoke on February 28, 2026 to the news that our nation is at war with Iran. Polls show that 63% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s war of choice, a clear reflection of how disconnected this escalation is from the main issues facing Americans today. The Administration has failed to provide a clear objective or end state for this operation. If the goal is deterrence, Iran continues to strike U.S. bases in the region, risking a broader regional war. If the goal is regime change, which the National Defense Strategy explicitly states was not a priority of this Administration, history has already taught us a lesson. The U.S. pursued this goal in Iraq at extraordinary costs: thousands of American lives, billions of dollars, regional instability, and a power vacuum that empowered both adversaries and extremist groups. We cannot afford to repeat that mistake. The war has also cost us the lives of at least thirteen servicemembers, and the Administration failed to evacuate U.S. embassies before launching the strikes, putting Americans in the region at high risk. When President Trump was asked about the lives lost in the early days of the conflict, he stated, “There will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is.” American lives are not expendable, and entering another conflict in the Middle East risks enabling another generation of instability and extremism. The Constitution gives Congress the sole authority to declare war, allowing Congress to prevent open-ended conflicts and ensure that any use of force remains lawful and tied to a clear objective. The alternative would be a great disservice to our national security. Our national security is strongest when it’s both principled and lawful and reflects our values and interests. The Trump Administration’s current approach fails on all counts. At a time when we are facing multiple threats on the global stage, we cannot afford to adopt a strategy that undermines our democracy, alienates our allies, and risks entangling our nation in conflicts without a clear end goal that advances the interests of all Americans. We call on the Administration to halt its current approach to national security, adopt this alternative framework, and return to a bipartisan commitment to our national security.

Rep. Cisneros Denounces Republican TSA Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Gil Cisneros (CA-31) released the following statement: “Hardworking TSA agents have missed two paychecks, leaving families without money to buy groceries. Exacerbating the issue, Americans traveling are stuck in hours-long lines with no end in sight, because Speaker Johnson refused to put a bill on the floor,” said Rep. Gil Cisneros. “Instead of fixing the problem, he chose to kick the can down the road again with another 60-day patch fix. He had the votes to do the right thing, but instead he wanted to play politics with workers' paychecks and people’s time.” ###

Rep. Cisneros Slams Trump on Unauthorized Strike on Iran

Position: The representative opposes the President's military strike on Iran without congressional authorization, arguing that the Constitution requires Congress to approve military action and that the strike was reckless and counterproductive to national security.

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) released the following statement: “The President cannot circumvent the Constitution and wage war without the approval of Congress. Iran is a bad actor and oppressive state that has suppressed its people and supported terrorism around the world. However, our military forces do not belong to the President to use on a whim, or because he doesn’t agree with the pace of negotiations. This is not about defending the nation. This is the President being reckless. Donald Trump’s actions have put military forces at risk and made us less safe.” ### Issues: Foreign Affairs

Rep. Cisneros Statement on Impeaching Sec. Kristi Noem

Position: Rep. Cisneros supports the impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, arguing that her direction of ICE enforcement actions violates the Constitution and federal law.

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Rep Cisneros released the following statement after co-sponsorship of H. Res.996, a Congressional resolution to impeach Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors: “I refuse to standby while our communities are under attack by ICE at the direction of Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem. Her willful misconduct is violating the constitution and federal law and putting every single one of us in danger. Kristi Noem must be impeached—immediately—for the safety and security of America.” ### Issues: Immigration

Rep. Cisneros Introduces Bill to Streamline Small Business Contracts

Position: Rep. Cisneros introduced legislation to raise the single-source contract threshold for small businesses in SBA programs to $10 million, arguing that current thresholds do not reflect inflation and limit small business competition.

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Gil Cisneros introduced the Streamlining Small Business Contracts Act, a bill that would simplify and streamline single-source contracts across SBA programs by implementing a $10 million threshold. Current thresholds for contracts awarded to small businesses do not reflect realities of costs and inflation, and limit small business competition. This bill would raise those thresholds to meet the needs of America’s small businesses today. “America’s small businesses deserve contracts that meet the current realities that they face today,” said Rep. Cisneros. “My bill will set a new standard threshold for small business contracts in SBA programs—opening up new opportunities for more small businesses, fighting rising costs from inflation, and spurring small business competition. This legislation will advance stronger small businesses through better contracts across all SBA programs.” This bill was endorsed by: Women's Procurement Circle HUBZone Contractors National Council GovEvolve GovCon Small Business Coalition Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Rep. Cisneros is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, and on the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. Issues: Congress Economy

Rep. Cisneros Votes to Extend ACA Tax Credits, Reduce Healthcare Costs

Position: Rep. Cisneros voted to extend ACA premium tax credits for three years to reduce healthcare costs and prevent premium increases. He supports continued efforts to reform the healthcare system to lower costs and expand access.

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) voted in favor of extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits to reduce healthcare costs. Premiums rose substantially after Republicans ended the Affordable Care Act tax credits and healthcare costs soared following the passage of the Republican funding bill just a few months ago. The measure to restore the ACA tax credits for the next three years passed the House. “Today, I proudly voted yes on the clean bill to restore the ACA tax credits, because we need these cost-saving tax credits to give relief to the millions of Americans feeling crushed by the weight of healthcare costs,” said Rep. Cisneros. “In my district alone, over 44,000 individuals stand to lose their healthcare thanks to this Republican-manufactured healthcare crisis. Across America, that number rises to 22 million. “After orchestrating the longest government shutdown in our history, Republicans finally joined ranks with every Democrat to protect healthcare for their people. This could have ended before it even started, if Republicans had the courage to do the right thing months ago, before people had to bear the costs of the premium hikes. Instead, they held the government hostage because they were too afraid to stand against the President. “Across America, our communities deserve access to quality and affordable care, and while the fight to lower healthcare costs continues, today’s vote was a step in the right direction. Now, we must continue the momentum to reform our healthcare system to work for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Last month, I took action to introduce a comprehensive healthcare plan to address the healthcare crisis by lowering costs, expanding access to high-quality care, and protecting the programs that millions of working Americans and seniors rely on. I will continue to stand united with the entire Democratic party as we fight for a more affordable future.” Without the ACA tax credits, people in CA-31 would have seen their healthcare premiums rise by up to $13,783. Approximately 39,000 individuals would have seen their cost of coverage soar this year and an estimated 44,360 would have lost their coverage altogether. There has been a 31% decrease in new enrollees in the district compared to a year ago. Most enrollees switching coverage tiers are moving to coverage with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs creating barriers to access to care for many. ### Issues: Congress Health

Reps. Cisneros, Bergman Introduce Bipartisan Reform to Duty Status, Pushing for Equity and Fairness

Position: Representatives Cisneros and Bergman introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline the Reserve Component's duty status system from approximately 30 statuses to four, ensuring servicemembers in similar roles receive equitable pay and benefits.

Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Jack Bergman (MI-01) introduced the bipartisan Duty Status Reform Act which would reduce the Reserve Component’s (RC’s) duty statuses from roughly 30 to four. This change would create a coherent structure, ensuring our servicemembers receive equitable benefits and pay when called to service. The bill is cosponsored by Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus Ted Lieu (CA-36) and Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6). The bill is endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), Reserve Organization of America (ROA), Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). With today’s overly complex, burdensome duty status system, servicemembers doing similar jobs often receive different benefits due to the sheer number of duty statuses. This construct has created major disparities for troop pay and benefits like TRICARE and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Under the new duty statuses established in this bill, servicemembers carrying out assignments within the same category will receive the same pay and benefits package. “Efforts to simplify the complex duty status system began over two decades ago. We owe it to our servicemembers to deliver this much-needed change and ensure they are receiving equitable pay and benefits,” said Rep. Gil Cisneros. “This was my number one priority returning to Congress. Having worked on this issue during my time at the Pentagon, I learned about the complexity of the current duty status system and how it hurts our readiness and quality of life for servicemembers. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Bergman, who knows firsthand the issues with the current structure, and I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress on this critical reform.” “The Duty Status Reform Act is a commonsense win for our Reserve and National Guard servicemembers,” said Rep. Jack Bergman. “It cuts through decades of red tape to make sure those who serve get consistent benefits, clear orders, and the support they’ve earned - whether they’re responding to disasters at home or missions abroad. I’m proud to support this modernization effort to strengthen readiness and reduce bureaucracy.” “Duty Status Reform is a long overdue step forward for our force and the nation. The National Guard has protected the homeland for nearly four centuries. As our tempo of operations has increased, it requires increased accessibility and flexibility,” said Major General (retired) Francis McGinn, president of NGAUS. “This legislation streamlines an overly complex system of over 30 duty statuses into four categories, cleans up nearly 300 laws, saves taxpayer dollars, and requires no additional scoring. We are grateful to Congressmen Cisneros and Bergman for leading this charge and we look forward to working with Congress to accomplish this much needed reform.” “This is a great step forward for the eight hundred thousand plus men and women of the Reserve Components,” Command Sergeant Major (retired) John D. Gipe, Executive Director of EANGUS “Duty Status Reform has been a topic of discussion and studies for over fifteen years. Finally, with the help of Representatives Cisneros and Bergman, this important modernization of the laws that support our Servicemembers and their Families is moving forward. Our Warriors will finally get the benefits they deserve for performing their service in uniform. The Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard, along with their Reserve counterparts, are grateful to all who have had a hand in bringing this issue to the forefront.” “Duty Status Reform replaces a burdensome maze of statutory authorities governing reserve service with a clear, predictable framework, allowing the military to operate faster and directly tying service to defined pay and benefit entitlements,” said Major General (retired) John Hashem, CEO of ROA. “It ensures uniform benefit accrual, reduces record disputes, and delivers equal DoD/W and VA benefits for identical service.” "This legislation addressing Duty Status Reform simplifies the Pentagon's access to the Reserve Forces helping maintain mission readiness and enhancing force posture,” said Jimmy Santos, Director of MOAA. “For servicemembers in the Reserve, it guarantees equal delivery of benefits to include healthcare and the housing allowance." Rep. Cisneros is a Navy Veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, and Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. Rep. Cisneros is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative. ### Issues: Congress

Rep. Cisneros, Sen. Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce the PROTECT Military Families Act

Position: The release advocates for legislation that would create a mandatory pathway for the Department of Homeland Security to grant Parole in Place status to family members of current and former U.S. Armed Forces members, protecting them from deportation.

Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) in the House and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in the Senate introduced the PROTECT Military Families Act, a bicameral bill that aims to protect military families from deportation and forced separation detrimental to military morale and mission readiness. The Senate bill was also co-sponsored by SVAC Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The bill is endorsed by the Veterans for American Ideals. The PROTECT Military Families Act would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to parole family members of qualifying current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It creates a mandatory pathway to Parole in Place (PIP) benefitting spouses, widows or widowers, parents, or children of qualifying current or former U.S. Armed Forces members. Parole can be denied only if the Secretary jointly issues a detailed written justification for the denial with the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs. “Our servicemembers and veterans served our nation and dedicated their lives to protect American values and our freedoms—it is only fitting that we provide a pathway to protect their families,” said Rep. Cisneros. “Our Armed Forces deserve to keep their families together and feel safe in their communities. I am proud to introduce legislation with Senator Duckworth and our colleagues that will protect these families by providing a stable pathway to Parole in Place.” “There is no higher betrayal to our heroes than to have one of their family members deported by the same nation they sacrificed to defend,” said Senator Duckworth. “In his ICE raids, Donald Trump is targeting servicemembers, Veterans and their loved ones—separating families who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country. Our legislation would help support our men and women who served by protecting their families from deportation. They fought for this country, and it’s past time Congress joins us to fight for them too.” “It’s unacceptable that military families are even vulnerable to deportation,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Service members already have a lot on their shoulders — they shouldn't also be worrying about whether their loved ones will be deported. I'm proud to co-lead the PROTECT Military Families Act to introduce long overdue stability for our country's service members and their loved ones.” Rep. Cisneros is a Navy Veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, and Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. Rep. Cisneros is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative. ### Issues: Congress Immigration