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BIOGUIDE C001123 · FEC H8CA39174

Gil Cisneros

U.S. Representative, CA-31 (since 2023; also served 2019-2021)DINCUMBENT

Race
U.S. House · California's 31st District
Result
Gil Cisneros, projected winner
Opponent
Eric Ching (R)
Research
Basic

Party line19 votes tracked

19With Democrats
0Against
0Didn't vote

With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.

Said vs. did6 statements · 19 votes

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.

Expand public health coverage

Compare statements with votes ›

On the ballotU.S. House · 31

2026-11-03

Gil Cisneros Dincumbent
Eric Ching Rchallenger

Advanced from the June 2, 2026 primary

Said vs. did

Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.

Expand public health coverageSupports
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.

Voted for legislation to restore Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, saying the credits give relief to Americans facing high healthcare costs.[5]

  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements.[6][7]
  • YESBreaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies.[8]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Broad tariffs on imported goodsOpposes
I hear it every day, small businesses need relief from Trump’s chaotic use of tariffs, but the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, which should advocate for small businesses across the federal government, ignores them.

Introduced legislation citing the need for small-business relief from the administration's tariffs, which he described as chaotic.[9]

  • YESResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.[10]

1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement

Stricter gun lawsSupports

Cosponsored H.R. 3115, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, and H.R. 18, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 (119th Congress).

Documented position[11][12]

  • YESBipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27), which would have required background checks on most private gun sales.[13]

1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement

Protect legal access to abortionSupports

Cosponsored H.R. 4099, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which prohibits interference under color of State law with the provision of interstate abortion services (119th Congress).

Documented position[14]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Raise the minimum wageSupports

Cosponsored H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (119th Congress).

Documented position[15]

  • YESRaise the Wage Act (H.R. 582, 2019-07-18).[16]

1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement

Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroadSupports

Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 40 and H.Con.Res. 89 (Iran), H.Con.Res. 68 (Venezuela) and H.J.Res. 126, each directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities (119th Congress).

Documented position[17][18][19][20]

  • YESWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization.[21]
  • YESWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.[22]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Expand immigration enforcement and deportations

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOLaken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22).[23]
  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.[6][7]
  • YESAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04).[24]
Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOSAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).[25]
Faster transition away from fossil fuels

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[6][7]
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations

No statement on this issue in our sources.

  • NOOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[6][7]

Biography

Democrat Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for California's 31st District and won re-election on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results. A Navy veteran and former Frito-Lay logistics manager, he later became a philanthropist, served one term in the U.S. House from 2019 to 2021, and was Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness from 2021. He returned to the House after the November 2024 election and serves on the Armed Services and Small Business committees.[1][2][3][4]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Cisneros was born in Los Angeles in 1971, and his official biography says he grew up in Southern California and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989 after graduating from high school.[2][3] He received a Naval ROTC scholarship through the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training Program and was commissioned an officer in 1994; Ballotpedia lists his service as a Navy supply officer from 1994 to 2004.[2][3] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from George Washington University in 1994, an MBA from Regis University in 2002, and a master's degree in urban education policy from Brown University in 2015.[2][3] Cisneros worked as a logistics manager for Frito-Lay, and after winning the lottery in 2010 he and his wife, Jacki, established the Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation, which funds scholarships and college access programs.[2][3] In 2015 he founded the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute at George Washington University, which provides scholarships for Latino students, according to his official biography.[3]

Cisneros was elected to the U.S. House from California's 39th District in 2018 and served on the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees, until he lost re-election in 2020 to Young Kim.[2][3] President Biden appointed him Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in April 2021, and he was sworn in on August 24, 2021, after Senate confirmation.[2][3] In April 2022 the Secretary of Defense named him the Pentagon's first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.[2][3]

Cisneros was elected in November 2024 to represent California's 31st District and took office in 2025.[2][3] His committee assignments are Armed Services (Intelligence and Special Operations and Military Personnel subcommittees) and Small Business, where he is ranking member of the Contracting and Infrastructure Subcommittee.[2][3][4] According to his official pages, he co-founded the Military Transition Assistance Pathway (MTAP) Caucus and co-chairs the Military Mental Health Caucus, and the U.S. Navy Memorial and the Navy Supply Corps Foundation have recognized his service.[3][4] He won the November 3, 2026 general election with 66.1% of the vote to Eric Ching's 33.9%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]

Recent votes

DateParty lineMeasure
2026-06-03With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207
2026-02-11With partyvoted yesResolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210
2026-02-03With partyvoted noConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21
2026-01-08With partyvoted yesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196
2025-12-17With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212
2025-12-10With partyvoted yesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18
2025-11-18With partyvoted yesEpstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1
2025-11-12With partyvoted noContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2

Showing the 8 most recent of 19 votes.

All 19 recorded votes
DateParty lineMeasure
2026-06-03With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
2026-02-11With partyvoted yesResolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
2026-02-03With partyvoted noConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
2026-01-08With partyvoted yesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
2025-12-17With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
2025-12-10With partyvoted yesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
2025-11-18With partyvoted yesEpstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
2025-11-12With partyvoted noContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
2025-07-17With partyvoted noCLARITY Act — digital asset market structureH.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · roll call ↗Democrats 78–134 · Republicans 216–0The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
2025-07-17With partyvoted noGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulationS. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · roll call ↗Democrats 102–110 · Republicans 206–12The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
2025-07-03With partyvoted noOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passageH.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 218–2H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
2025-06-12With partyvoted noRescissions Act of 2025H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–208 · Republicans 214–4The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
2025-05-22With partyvoted noOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passageH.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 215–2H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
2025-04-10With partyvoted noSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registrationH.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 4–208 · Republicans 216–0The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
2025-03-11With partyvoted noFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 1–212 · Republicans 216–1The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
2025-01-22With partyvoted noLaken Riley Act — final passageS. 5 · Passed 263–156 · roll call ↗Democrats 46–156 · Republicans 217–0The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
2019-07-18With partyvoted yesRaise the Wage Act — House passageH.R. 582 · Passed 231–199 · roll call ↗Democrats 228–7 · Republicans 3–192Would have raised the federal minimum wage in steps from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025.
2019-06-04With partyvoted yesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passageH.R. 6 · Passed 237–187 · roll call ↗Democrats 230–0 · Republicans 7–187Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
2019-02-27With partyvoted yesBipartisan Background Checks Act — House passageH.R. 8 · Passed 240–190 · roll call ↗Democrats 232–2 · Republicans 8–188Would have required background checks for most firearm transfers between private parties.

On the record

Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.

  • actionServes on the House Committee on Armed Services (Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee; Military Personnel Subcommittee) and the House Committee on Small Business (Contracting and Infrastructure Subcommittee; Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee) in the 119th Congress (2025-2026).[26]
  • billIntroduced the Streamlining Small Business Contracts Act, which would raise the threshold for single-source SBA contracts to reflect current costs and inflation.[27]
  • billIntroduced the Cut the Burden, Keep the Benefits Act, which would require the SBA Office of Advocacy to solicit and report on small-business concerns about government actions including tariffs and healthcare rules.[9]

In their own words

Priorities

  • Says everyone deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare, and cites his work in Congress and as Under Secretary of Defense to expand healthcare access for working families.[28]
  • Says he is a vocal advocate for keeping immigrant families together and protecting the pathway to citizenship.[29]
  • Says the district's small businesses and entrepreneurs need an economy that works for everyone, and cites his seat on the House Committee on Small Business.[27]
Campaign money$705K raised · 34% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30

Totals this cycle

Raised$705K
Spent$486K
Cash on hand$260K

Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.

Who gave

  • Individuals $240K
  • PACs & committees $454K
  • Own money & loans $6,616

Profile: /people/gilbert-ray-cisneros-jr

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 11 of 470 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Foreign affairs & defense (5), Rights & public safety (4), Education & families (1)

  • Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act

    What it does: Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs from engaging in boycotts against Israel.

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 33–167, Republicans 203–2

    Sep 3, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Massie) to H.R. 8595 — Making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.

    A yes vote supported an H.R. 8595 amendment that bars funds in the bill from being used for Israel and cuts the Foreign Military Financing account by $3.3 billion. (AI-written)

    What it does: National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 103–98, Republicans 1–215

    Jul 15, 2026Official record ↗

  • Cashless Bail Reporting Act

    What it does: Cashless Bail Reporting Act This bill requires the Department of Justice to publish annually a list of state and local governments that permit individuals who are charged with certain criminal offenses that pose a cle…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 96–114, Republicans 211–2

    May 14, 2026Official record ↗

Full voting recordHow this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›

Sources cited in this profile

  1. 1.California's 31st District election results 2026 · NBC News News report
  2. 2.Gil Cisneros · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.About · Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros Official record
  4. 4.Committees and Caucuses · Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros Official record
  5. 5.Rep. Cisneros Votes to Extend ACA Tax Credits, Reduce Healthcare Costs · Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros · 2026-01-08 Candidate's own words
  6. 6.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  7. 7.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  8. 8.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  9. 9.Rep. Cisneros Introduces Bill to Reduce Administrative Burden on Small Businesses · Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros · 2025-12-03 Candidate's own words
  10. 10.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  11. 11.H.R. 3115, Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 · Congress.gov Official record
  12. 12.H.R. 18, Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 · Congress.gov Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Bipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-02-27 Official record
  14. 14.H.R. 4099, Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act · Congress.gov Official record
  15. 15.H.R. 2743, Raise the Wage Act of 2025 · Congress.gov Official record
  16. 16.Roll call: Raise the Wage Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-07-18 Official record
  17. 17.H.Con.Res. 40, War Powers Resolution (Iran) · Congress.gov Official record
  18. 18.H.Con.Res. 89, War Powers Resolution (Iran) · Congress.gov Official record
  19. 19.H.Con.Res. 68, Removal of Armed Forces from Venezuela · Congress.gov Official record
  20. 20.H.J.Res. 126, Removal of Armed Forces from hostilities not authorized by Congress · Congress.gov Official record
  21. 21.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
  22. 22.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
  23. 23.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  24. 24.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-06-04 Official record
  25. 25.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 Official record
  26. 26.Gil Cisneros · Ballotpedia Reference
  27. 27.Economy and Small Businesses · Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros Candidate's own words
  28. 28.Health · Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros Candidate's own words
  29. 29.Immigration · Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros Candidate's own words