FEBRUARY 3, 2026: INTERVIEW
GIL CISNEROS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE CA DISTRICT 31
Cisneros serves CA District 31, which includes the Mt. Baldy Area cities of Glendora, San Dimas, and La Verne. We asked Cisneros' staff about his 2026 legislative priorities and included questions that reflected areas of concern and priority for the Mt. Baldy Area League.
Stephanie Hernandez, the Field Representative, answered the following questions from LWVC (Q1 & 2) and LWV Mt. Baldy Area (Q3 & 4).
Question 1: What major issues do you think the Congress must deal with in 2026?
Answer: Spending for the government for remainder of the fiscal year; Cisneros opposed the funding bill put forth by Republicans. By February 13, funding expires for Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), raising the question of if we will be giving a “blank check” to DHS in the absence of new funding.
Question 2: What are Rep. Cisneros’s personal legislative priorities?
Answer: Work on the Armed Services Committee, funding and oversight of the Department of Defense (DOD), including the armed forces; the Department of Energy; and the Small Business House committee, where he supports small businesses through open access to loans, credit, and capital. Battle with the House majority and administration about the question of who can be covered by Small Business Administration funding - particularly undocumented small business owners.
Bills introduced by Rep. Cisneros:
- HR 6354 - Cut the Burden, Keep the Benefits Act. Gives small businesses the opportunity to voice regulatory concerns and any government actions that affect them
- HR 1754 Streamlining of small business act - focusing on helping small businesses as large sporting events come to the U.S., working closely with LA28 to help all small businesses have access to grants for this and the FIFA games
- HR 6958 Protect military families Act - to protect military families from deportation and forced removal
- Brandon Act training and protocol act, focused on mental health for members of the armed services
Question 3: The League of Women Voters have long considered the voting rights of all citizens to be of critical importance. What are the Congressmember’s proposals and plans to fight voter suppression and ensure free and fair elections this year and beyond?
Answer: The passing in the House of the SAVE Act, to mandate showing ID at the polls, would create a huge barrier as far as voting is concerned. Rep. Cisneros voted against that act; which has passed in the House but not yet in the Senate.
Concerns exist about potential for military action around polls and voting centers. Rep. Cisneros will coordinate with CA assembly members and state senators since conduct of elections is constitutionally delegated to states.
Question 4. The LWV is concerned with quasi-military actions by ICE, CBP, and DHS in our cities and across USA and threats by the Administration to send federal troops in as well. We note the Congressman’s membership in the New Dem Caucus, which just called for restraint and reform of DHS operations. What are Rep. Cisneros’s additional proposals to protect against extra-constitutional actions on our streets, schools and homes?
Answer: Rep. Cisneros sent a letter to the Pentagon regarding the deployment of the National Guard into California and opposes these actions and overreach. He attended a press event today in front of the DHS building demanding the impeachment of Kristi Noem and is working on a letter to send to Kristi Noem and DHS in response to LA County workers having been stopped by ICE and questioned, wanting to know what protocol they are using to identify and stop these folks by ICE. He hopes to receive a response from Kristi Noem and DHS. While the National Guard was removed from Los Angeles, the questions remain if this could happen again. He has also requested impeachment of Secretary Hegseth (DOD); not sure about the stance on toward impeaching Robert Kennedy.
WRAP UP: Our League team thanked Stephanie for her time and asked if there was other information they would like to share with our leagues. She replied that Cong. Cisneros is committed to continuing town hall meetings every quarter.
We said we may ask to meet again with her or the Congressmember in the coming year as issues of interest to the LWV arise. We also extended an invitation to join the League today.