Gil Cisneros

Gil Cisneros was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1971.[1] He served in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer from 1994 to 2004. Cisneros earned a bachelor's degree in political science from George Washington University in 1994, a master's in business administration from Regis University in 2002, and a master's degree in urban education policy from Brown University in 2015. His career experience includes working as a logistics manager for Frito-Lay. In 2010, Cisneros won the lottery and became involved in activism and philanthropy, founding a scholarship program for local high school students. In 2021, President Joe Biden (D) appointed Cisneros as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.[2] Cisneros previously served in the House from 2019 to 2021.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Gil is the son of a public school cafeteria worker and a Vietnam veteran. He attended college on a Naval scholarship, and he served as a U.S. Navy officer for 10 years.

Gil’s roots are in the San Gabriel Valley. He grew up with family in La Puente and attended Charter Oak High football games. After the Navy, he worked at Frito-Lay, with facilities in the City of Industry and Rancho Cucamonga, before he and his wife, Jacki, dedicated their lives to helping students through the educational foundation they established after winning the lottery.

In 2018, Gil ran for Congress with strong support from Unions and flipped a historic seat from red to blue. In Congress, Cisneros directly recovered over $550K for constituents, brought back $136M in non-COVID related grants, responded to 119K letters, and held 250 in-district events, including 30 town halls.

Gil was appointed by President Biden as the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and served as the military’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, where he expanded access to reproductive healthcare and access to abortion even in states that had banned it, promoted LGBTQ equity, worked to stop sexual assaults, and expanded universal pre-k to all military families.

Gil has returned to the San Gabriel Valley in El Monte to run for Congress in the 31st Congressional District. Gil is fighting for gun safety reform, educational opportunities, climate action, and women's rights.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

ANTI-CORRUPTION - Gil is fed up with corporate special interest money in our politics and will crack down on corruption in politics. He supports efforts to limit the influence and power of lobbyists and refuses to take donations from Big Pharma, oil corporations, tobacco, gun manufacturers, and private prisons. Gil is fighting for real campaign finance reform to stop big corporations from buying elections.ECONOMY - Gil understands that working families are struggling because wages aren’t keeping up with prices. Too many families in the 31st District can’t keep up with the increased costs of housing, groceries, gas, and the overall cost of living while seeing their incomes remain flat. In Congress, Gil will fight for equal pay for working women, raise the minimum wage to a living wage, lower prescription drug prices, ensure retirement security, and he has plans to bring good-paying manufacturing jobs back home and make housing more affordable.REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS - Gil believes that decisions about a woman’s reproductive health should stay between a woman and her doctor. That means every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including contraception and fertility treatment.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Gil is particularly passionate about issues that impact students, veterans, and protecting choice. In Congress and at the Department of Defense, Gil has been an advocate of expanding Pell grants, improving veteran services, and protecting a woman's right to choose what to do with her own body.

Campaign website

Cisneros' campaign website stated the following:

Gun Violence Prevention

Gil knows the scourge of gun violence first-hand. When his mother was only 10 years old, Gil’s grandfather was murdered at gunpoint during a robbery, and the loss still affects his family today.

While serving in Congress, Gil earned an ‘F’ rating from the NRA– and he wears it as a badge of honor. When he returns to Washington, Gil will fight for comprehensive gun safety measures that protect our communities and prevent gun violence. This includes common-sense reforms such as universal background checks to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, such as those with violent criminal records or mental health issues.

Gil is a staunch supporter of bringing back an assault weapons ban to protect the safety and well-being of our communities, particularly our school children. As a Navy veteran, Gil knows there is no place for military-style assault weapons on our streets. By limiting access to these high-capacity, rapid-firing firearms, Congress can reduce the likelihood of more devastating incidents like those we’ve witnessed far too often.

Tragic accidents shouldn’t claim lives. Gil will promote safe storage solutions to keep guns out of the wrong hands and protect our children.

Gil believes we should treat gun violence as the deadly public health crisis it is. When Gil was in Congress, he voted in support of funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for research on gun violence as a public health issue. He stands with the students, families, and organizers who are fighting to enact these commonsense policies to keep our communities safe, once and for all.

Securing Reproductive Rights

Gil believes that decisions about a woman’s reproductive health should stay between a woman and her doctor. That means every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including contraception and fertility treatment.

In Congress, Gil earned a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood for consistently pushing for policies to expand reproductive rights, including opposing the Hyde Amendment and supporting a full repeal of the Helms Amendment.

At the Department of Defense, Gil spearheaded innovative programs that increased access to contraceptives and ensured zero copays for birth control. Gil signed and enacted the Pentagon’s groundbreaking new reproductive healthcare policy for active military personnel, ensuring they had access to essential reproductive healthcare services, even if unavailable in the state where they were stationed.

Gil is ready to go back to Congress and lead on legislation that would ensure full coverage of and access to emergency contraception for all women. He will also fight to prevent employers and schools from denying employees and students access to basic healthcare services, including birth control.

Anti-Corruption

Gil is fed up with corporate special interest money in our politics and will crack down on corruption in politics. He supports efforts to limit the influence and power of lobbyists and refuses to take donations from Big Pharma, oil corporations, tobacco, gun manufacturers, and private prisons. Gil is fighting for real campaign finance reform to stop big corporations from buying elections.

In Congress, Gil was a co-sponsor of H.R. 1, one of the largest anti-corruption bills of the modern era. When Gil returns to Congress, he will push for a Constitutional amendment that overturns the disastrous Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court. He also supports increasing the transparency around money in politics and bringing an end to “dark money” by requiring full disclosure of contributors to any group that advocates for or against candidates.

An Economy that Works for the Middle Class

Gil understands that working families are struggling because wages aren’t keeping up with prices. Too many families in the 31st District can’t keep up with the increased costs of housing, groceries, gas, and the overall cost of living while seeing their incomes remain flat. In Congress, Gil will fight for equal pay for working women, raise the minimum wage to a living wage, lower prescription drug prices, ensure retirement security, and he has plans to bring good-paying manufacturing jobs back home and make housing more affordable.

Rather than providing exemptions that only benefit the billionaires in America, such as the exemption for private jet owners, Gil knows that we need to establish more tax credits for the middle class. Gil will fight to reduce taxes for working families and eliminate tax breaks for special interests and big corporations that send jobs overseas.

While Gil was at the Pentagon, he ensured the minimum hourly wage was raised to $15, and he is committed to leading the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour across the nation and guarantee equal pay for women– two critical measures that have the potential to uplift millions of families from poverty.

Education is the foundation of our nation’s economic growth and global competitiveness. That growth lies in our ability to invest in and strengthen our educational system. To prepare students for college and careers, Gil oversaw the largest childcare system in the country while at DoD and he understands how important the investment in high-quality early childhood education and childcare is for families and children.

We must transform our classrooms for the 21st century and ensure that we have an educational system that is preparing our students to meet the needs of the future. Gil will fight to ensure that our educational system is preparing students for careers in the many emerging industries in America by pushing for investments in vocational training and career development to give our workers a competitive edge in the global economy.

Healthcare

While at the Pentagon, Gil oversaw the Defense Health System, so he knows about the rising cost of healthcare and other challenges that affect families on a daily basis. Gil knows that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and he will fight to expand coverage and reduce healthcare costs for all, working towards a public option that provides Americans with more choices and better care.

While in Congress, Gil defended the ACA from Republican attacks and fought for increased access and more affordable care for everyone. The ACA has been instrumental in expanding access to healthcare for millions of Americans, and it is essential to protect and build upon its achievements. When he returns to Washington, Gil will champion efforts to strengthen the ACA, and to create a public option that gives people the option to buy into Medicare.

Gil knows that Big Pharma is all too often ripping Americans off. That’s why he is a staunch proponent of the government taking a stand against the pharmaceutical giants. While at the Pentagon, Gil oversaw the Defense Health Activity, which negotiated the price of prescription for DoD and he will fight for direct negotiations on drug prices and against the excessive and unfair pricing of prescription medications for all Americans. This approach leverages the government’s purchasing power to lower costs and make essential medications more affordable for all Americans.

When he returns to Washington, Gil will push for transparency and data-driven decision-making in healthcare to promote equity in access. He understands that accurate information is essential to making informed choices about healthcare, and he will support measures to ensure that data is used effectively to bridge healthcare disparities and create a more equitable system.

Protecting Our Communities from the Climate Crisis

Gil understands the need for urgent action to protect our communities from climate disasters and supports legislation that invests in infrastructure that supports clean energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and ensures a sustainable future for our planet. That is why he is the only candidate in this race endorsed by the California Environmental Voters, formerly The League of Conservation Voters.

His track record in Congress reflects his commitment to promoting renewable energy, supporting clean water initiatives, and preserving our state’s diverse ecosystems. His support of major climate legislation has earned him a 98% score from the League of Conservation Voters from 2019 – 2020, and a 100% each from the National Parks Conservation Association and Clean Water Action.

When he returns to Washington, Gil will fight for investments to create millions of family-supporting and union jobs that will build the infrastructure for our clean energy generation, energy efficiency, clean transportation, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable agriculture. He will champion initiatives that promote a sustainable, fair, and globally competitive manufacturing industry. This includes endorsing national standards like Buy Clean and Buy America and encouraging the production of environmentally friendly building materials such as steel, cement, and timber within our borders.

Gil knows that to protect our future, we must build a thriving, equitable, and globally competitive clean energy economy that puts workers and communities first and leaves no one behind. Gil recognizes the importance of both environmental protection and supporting workers in industries that may be affected by the shift away from fossil fuels. Gil will be a champion for organized labor, keeping Congress engaged with labor unions and workers in the fossil fuel industry to develop strategies for retraining, job placement, and economic security.

Like so many crises facing the United States, the impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed in our society or our economy. Communities of color and low-income families have long suffered disproportionate and cumulative harm from air pollution, water pollution, and toxic sites. Gil refuses to take money from big oil corporations, who are ripping off consumers and opposing efforts to expand clean energy. Gil is fighting to crack down on gas price-gouging at the gas pump and to combat climate change and end our reliance on polluting fossil fuels by investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Honoring Our Veterans

We have no greater duty than to provide for the men and women who have sacrificed for our country when they return from service.

Not only is Gil a Veteran but he comes from a family of Veterans. As a former United States Naval Officer Gil knows firsthand the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to protect our freedom. With limited financial resources, he joined the Navy after graduating from high school, earned a scholarship through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, and served honorably for eleven years.

Since then, Gil has dedicated his life to ensuring that those who serve receive the benefits they are entitled to. During his time in Congress, he introduced legislation to support veterans, focusing on mental health outreach, childcare assistance, and ending veteran homelessness.

As the son of a veteran, Gil knows how important and crucial the services that the VA provides to our veterans are. While Republicans threaten to cut and privatize veterans’ benefits, Gil stood up and fought to increase these benefits to ensure our veterans are provided with the top-quality medical care and services that they deserve.

As Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Gil worked diligently with the VA to ensure that service men and women received the care, education, and training they needed. The transition from military life to civilian life is of the utmost importance and Gil will fight to ensure that every Veteran receives what they are entitled to for their sacrifice for our country.

Gil believes we must ensure that veterans are treated equally, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or immigration status. He is proud to have overseen the team that will now review the service records of veterans who were wrongly separated during Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

Invest In Our Children’s Future and Make Higher Education Affordable

Gil recognizes the need for a strong public education system that provides every student with the opportunities they deserve. He understands that when students are provided with the necessary tools to succeed, the possibilities are limitless. Gil is committed to ensuring that all students have access to the educational opportunities they deserve, regardless of their background or where they come from.

While overseeing the Department of Defense education system of 160 schools in 11 foreign countries, and 7 states, Gil was the driving factor in ensuring the Department implemented Universal Pre-K in their elementary schools around the world. These schools consistently outperform national averages on standardized assessments, reflecting leadership’s commitment to excellence and the unique needs of military-connected students.

As an education leader, Gil and his wife Jacki partnered with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the City of Pico Rivera to create Generation First Degree Pico Rivera, with the goal of putting a college degree in every household in the city, and communities across the San Gabriel Valley. Gil also served on the advisory board of Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative for college access.

In Congress, Gil worked to strengthen public schools and promote access to quality education by supporting Yellow Ribbon programs for Veterans, establishing scholarships, and creating an endowment for the dependents of former Navy Supply Corps personnel, so that tuition costs are never a barrier to educational opportunities.

Gil is dedicated to the fight for increased per-pupil spending in the K-12 education system, working to ensure that affordable higher education is accessible to all students, and advocating for a revamp of the student loan system to reduce costs. Education is an issue he is so very passionate about that he even returned to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University.

Retirement Security

Gil’s mother had to go 16 years without healthcare so he knows firsthand the impact that Medicare has on our seniors. Gil will work to protect Medicare and Social Security from Republican attacks. Social security protects many seniors from poverty, we have to keep our promise to seniors and protect the benefits they have worked for and earned.

Social Security serves as a lifeline for many elderly Americans who have diligently contributed to this system throughout their working lives. These social safety nets have played a pivotal role in preventing countless seniors from slipping into poverty during their retirement years, and Gil believes it is our moral duty to honor the promises made to our seniors.

Furthermore, Gil is prepared to stand as a bulwark against any attempts by Republicans to cut or privatize Social Security or Medicare. These programs are essential cornerstones of our social safety net, and they should remain accessible, reliable, and government-administered.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Protecting DREAMers

One of Gil’s proudest accomplishments was to make it easier for non-citizens serving in our military to gain their citizenship in a quick and efficient manner. These individual green card holders can now receive their citizenship after they complete basic training.

In Congress, Gil fought to protect President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which has allowed thousands of young people who were brought to the United States as undocumented children by their parents to be part of the American dream.

These individuals, often referred to as DREAMers, have lived in the United States for most of their lives and consider it their home. DACA has provided opportunities for these aspiring young Americans to pursue education, serve in our nation’s military, and contribute to the betterment of their communities and the country at large. When he returns to Congress, Gil will continue to be an outspoken advocate for DACA recipients, and he is committed to standing up for their rights and security.

Moreover, Gil believes that we must enact comprehensive immigration reform, which includes the DREAM Act, to address the larger issues in our immigration system. This reform is crucial to keeping families together, offering a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals who have long called America their home, and enhancing border security in a responsible and humane manner. Gil knows we must create a fair and inclusive immigration system, one that reflects the values of compassion, family unity, and the belief that America’s strength lies in its diversity.

Gil knows that we must also protect those who are in a Temporary Protective Status (TPS). These are individuals who have been allowed to come into the country to escape wars and persecution in their home country. Many of these individuals have been here for years, and have families that are American Citizens. We must protect TPS and find a path to citizenship for these individuals who have contributed so much to our communities and our economy.

Disabilities

Gil believes Americans with disabilities have the right to live independently with the same dignity and freedom afforded every other citizen. Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, a Congressional report revealed nearly a quarter of a million Americans are being unfairly segregated in nursing homes and the numbers are growing.

In Congress, Gil will fight for policies that enhance accessibility across all facets of life, including public spaces, transportation, and digital platforms. He is a champion for the implementation of accessible design and infrastructure to create an environment where individuals with disabilities can fully participate in society without encountering barriers. Recognizing the importance of employment, Gil supports legislation incentivizing businesses to adopt inclusive hiring practices and workplace accommodations. By fostering an inclusive job market, Gil believes we can empower individuals with disabilities to contribute their skills and talents to the workforce.

Gil supports initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in their communities. This involves advocating for policies providing necessary support services, accessible housing, and transportation options tailored to diverse needs.

LGBTQ+ Rights

Gil is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ and trans rights, with a dedication to securing and expanding these rights. He recognizes that the fight for LGBTQ+ and trans rights is an essential part of the broader struggle for equality and social justice. He will work tirelessly to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve under the law.

In Congress, Gil co-sponsored the Equality Act and will continue to fight for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that ensures the protection of LGBTQ+ individuals in various facets of life, including employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. Currently, dozens of states lack a comprehensive non-discrimination policy, leaving millions of Americans open to discrimination when seeking employment and educational opportunities, purchasing a home, and even securing goods and services. When he returns to Washington, Gil will work to establish robust federal safeguards against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, fostering an environment of equality and acceptance. Every American should be given the opportunity to pursue the American Dream, and that means that every American needs equal access to the services and benefits in this country.

As a retired Naval officer, Gil took a strong and vocal stand against Donald Trump’s attempt to ban qualified, patriotic transgender Americans from the military. During his tenure as the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness, Gil blazed a trail by taking on the groundbreaking role of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Department. He is proud to have overseen the team that will provide guidance for the review of service records of veterans who were wrongly separated during Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. He made it easier for transgender service members to join the military and worked to ensure both transitioning service members and family members had access to care. Gil also issued the policy that now allows service members with HIV/AIDS to deploy and apply for commissioning programs. When he returns to Washington, Gil will be a leader in the fight to ensure that his fellow veterans are afforded equal access to VA benefits regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Gil will stand alongside the LGBTQ community and push for the priceless rights and equality that is owed.

We have seen that LGBTQ youth are more likely to be subjected to bullying and violence in schools which puts them at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Gil knows it is imperative that our schools provide a safe environment for LGBTQ youth to learn and grow. That’s why he supports programs that provide educators with the tools that they need to protect students from harassment. He knows we need to also provide schools with the resources to succeed in school and in their futures. Gil believes that educators throughout the country must work together to identify best practices for providing a safe school environment. Every student should feel safe when stepping into a classroom to learn.

National Security and Terrorism

Having previously served in our military, in Congress, and as an Under Secretary of Defense, Gil has both knowledge and experience when it comes to national security and foreign affairs. He has met with political and military leaders from around the world. The United States must remain a beacon of hope and be a leader on the world stage. Gil believes we must work closely with our allies and partners to find diplomatic solutions in order to protect our national security. He knows we need to support emerging democracies and speak out against repressive regimes and recognize that we live in a global economy and interconnected world and work with nations around the world to find solutions to our common problems. Through active engagement with multilateral institutions, Gil will work to advance American interests by promoting democracy, human rights, and global stability.

To fortify national security, Gil will fight for strategic defense investments and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Proposing a forward-looking defense strategy, he envisions modernization efforts that prioritize agility, cyber capabilities, and intelligence gathering. In Congress, Gill will advocate for advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence and space exploration, to ensure that the U.S. military remains adaptable and prepared to counter emerging threats in the 21st century.

Recognizing the strength in collaborative efforts, Gil will be a leader in Congress, fighting for legislation that reinforces international alliances and addresses shared challenges, enabling burden-sharing, and upholding a rules-based global order.

To support Ukrainian democracy and prevent Russia’s expansion by force, Gil believes that we must continue to strengthen our international coalition and reaffirm our commitment to NATO, improve intelligence sharing with our allies, and strangle terrorist financial networks. We need to strengthen domestic intelligence sharing between local and Federal law enforcement agencies to identify threats before they strike.

As we shift priorities to one of great power competition we must remain vigilant on the threat of terrorism both domestically and abroad. We must continue to work with our allies and partners to stomp out these threats around the world. We must continue to put pressure on hostile nations and organizations through economic sanctions and military operations when necessary.

Animal Rights

Promoting animal welfare and protecting them from abuse is a top priority for Gil. In Congress, Gil will vote to protect pets and domesticated animals by strengthening regulations on “puppy mills” and other harmful commercial breeding facilities and support legislation to prevent animal cruelty and torture.

As a pet lover, Gil understands the important role animals play in the lives of adults and children. Gil will fight to protect farm animals from inhumane treatment and work to eliminate the use of antibiotics in farm animals for non-therapeutic reasons.

The safety and security of our nation’s wildlife is also under threat with the continued auctioning off of public lands to the highest bidder. In Congress, Gil will protect wildlife by keeping public lands public and making more resources available to forest landowners, ranchers, and farmers who are taking steps to conserve our wildlife, lands, and waters. Gil supports legislation combating international wildlife trafficking and will work to shut down the