Latest News
February 8, 2012
Garamendi Calls for End to War in Afghanistan on House Floor and on NPR
“Col. Davis's candid testimony reinforced my own conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, only the prospect of continued shedding of American blood in a war that is not ours to fight” Read More »
February 2, 2012
"Our brave American servicemembers who are engaged in combat in Afghanistan have selflessly risked everything – many serving four or five tours of duty. It’s time we let them return to their families," Congressman Garamendi said. "We have fought in Afghanistan’s internal civil war on behalf of the corrupt Karzai government for long enough. There is no combat solution to this conflict. I am encouraged by Secretary Panetta’s indication that combat operations will end in 2013, and I urge the administration to make it happen." Read More »
February 1, 2012
Congressman Garamendi Introduces Veterans Reemployment Act
Endorsed by The American Legion, this jobs bill closes a loophole that allows large corporations to refrain from rehiring National Guard and Reserve members who were sent into combat in service of our country. The bill is necessary because as of December 2011, the unemployment rate among veterans 18-24 years of age was 31 percent – double that of the nonveteran unemployment rate. Read More »
January 30, 2012
"Students have enough things to stress about. I want UC Davis students to focus on getting good grades and landing a good job after college," Garamendi said. "Because of this event, today some students can set aside worries about how they're going to pay for their education." Read More »
January 19, 2012
Nearly 100 Solano County Seniors Attend Rep. Garamendi's Senior Resources Fair
"It's been a great forum. I found a lot of interesting things here for seniors," said Ken Kinsman, a senior who attended the event. Read More »
January 6, 2012
Momentum Builds for Garamendi Bill Preventing Indefinite Detention of American Citizens
"We must clarify existing law to guarantee the due process rights of every American. It is a foundational principle of our great nation that we are all innocent until proven guilty and that we all deserve a fair trial." Read More »
January 5, 2012
Armed Services Committee Member John Garamendi Issues Statement on Defense Strategic Review
“My staff and I will carefully review the President's budget to see how it will impact our national security, economic security, and our Northern California communities. I will continue to advocate for the smart investments that strengthen a mobile and innovative military adaptable to our nation's emerging challenges and opportunities.” Read More »
December 16, 2011
Garamendi/Heinrich Bill Clarifies Detention Policy & Protects American Citizens' Due Process Rights
"Every American deserves their day in court, and this legislation changes existing law to protect our due process rights. We cannot allow our basic rights to be lost, and there is no legitimate national security reason to deny any citizen in America a trial. We can both keep America safe and maintain our liberties." Read More »
December 16, 2011
"The abuses and fraud need to be fully investigated, and I commend Attorney General Harris for taking appropriate leadership in helping homeowners," Garamendi said. "I hope the President uses the power of his Administration to aid Harris. We need to make sure that these rip off artists are exposed for their crimes, and to whatever degree we can help working families keep their homes, we should." Read More »
December 14, 2011
Congressman John Garamendi today voted in favor of the modified National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).The new NDAA is significantly improved from the version the House voted on earlier in the year, and it includes provisions vital to maintaining the strength of our Armed Forces.... "This legislation puts personnel first and does right by Travis Air Force Base and other bases in Northern California." Read More »
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DiFi floats bill to bar citizens’ indefinite detention
Inside Bay Area / Contra Costa Times | Josh Richman | December 15, 2011Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, and Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., today introduced the House companion bill, H.R. 3702. “Every American deserves their day in court, and this legislation changes existing law to protect our due process rights,” Garamendi said in his news release. “We cannot allow our basic rights to be lost, and there is no legitimate national security reason to deny any citizen in America a trial. We can both keep America safe and maintain our liberties.”
California Democrats urge mortgage investigation
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | December 12, 2011Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, joined fellow California Democrats today and sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging federal support for an investigation into mortgage fraud.California and Nevada attorney generals have teamed up to crack down on mortgage fraud.
USDA declares Solano a natural disaster area
The Vacaville Reporter | Melissa Murphy | December 2, 2011"We worked pretty hard to get this," Allan said of the designation and collecting the necessary data. He added that Solano County received support from Congressmen John Garamendi and George Miller, both D-Solano. Farmers and ranchers in counties contiguous to Solano County also can benefit from the designation. Those counties include Contra Costa, Napa, Sacramento, Sonoma and Yolo.
Bipartisan members of Congress champion geothermal energy with letter to 'super committee'
Lake County News | | November 18, 2011“Geothermal energy is a crucial clean resource for creating jobs and securing our energy independence,” said Garamendi. “It is in our economic and national security interests to make our energy in America, which is why it’s critical for the federal government to continue cultivating an environment for geothermal development.”Garamendi continued, “Communities that bear the burden of geothermal development deserve a fair share of its revenue. I strongly oppose any attempt to deprive these counties of funds for essential local services, including education and public safety.”
Democrats: Plug budget deficit with money from oil subsidies
KPCC | Kitty Felde | November 2, 2011Democrats say $2 billion a year can be saved by cancelling subsidies to oil companies. At a press conference outside the capitol, Congressman John Garamendi of Walnut Creek described those subsidies as a longstandingAmerican economic tradition intended to spur new industries. "95 years ago," he says, "we began to subsidize the oil industry to encourage it. It’s perfectly clear from all you’ve heard today, and from the trillion dollars in profits that the oil industry has made in the last ten years, that this industry no longer needs taxpayer encouragement to succeed. It is the most successful industry ever."
Representatives question short comment period for Delta plan
San Francisco Bay Area Indymedia | Dan Bacher | October 29, 2011“The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is critical to sustaining the life of communities across California and is an ecosystem of national significance,” said Congressman John Garamendi (CA-10). “I have worked for decades to protect this vital resource by building consensus and including all stakeholders. By contrast, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan has been an exclusionary closed-door operation on a recklessly short time table. The current Memorandum of Agreement must be rescinded and a new agreement forged, so that all interested parties have equal standing in the Bay Delta Conservation Plan process. I join my colleagues in calling for an open, inclusive and deliberative process that protects the ecology of the Delta for all Californians.”
Garamendi promotes clean energy legislation during Solano visit
Fairfield Daily Republic | Ian Thompson | October 20, 2011“I like this,” said Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, as he lauded the facility and noted that increasing the use of clean energy such as solar power can help secure national security so America doesn’t have to depend on oil from dangerous parts of the world. “This is what we have to do.”
House members call for end to wars on eve of 10th anniversary of Afghanistan operations
The Hill | Pete Kasperowicz | October 5, 2011Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) argued that U.S. funding is being wasted in a corrupt country. “Afghanistan is widely considered to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world, behind only Somalia,” he said.
Rep. John Garamendi, other Dems, join Obama campaign to sell jobs plan
San Francisco Chronicle | Carolyn Lochhead | September 13, 2011Garamendi used the state-by-state numbers put out by White House that say 710,000 small businesses in California would benefit from the payroll tax cut, which also would give an a family earning $50,000 a $1,500 tax cut. It also would provide nearly $4 billion to California for surface transportation, $2.8 billion to upgrade schools in poor neighborhoods and hire 37,300 teachers in the state.
Demonstrators Call For End to Oil Subsidies
Walnut Creek Patch | Lance Howland | September 13, 2011The event was held across the street from the Walnut Creek office of Rep. John Garamendi, a Democrat, whom Carroll called a "champion" for his advocacy against oil subsidies. Garamendi aide Brian Hooker read a note from the congressman, who is in Washington monitoring the jobs bill debate, he said.
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January 15, 2011
Contra Costa Times: Patients' rights vs. insurance discrimination
They want to repeal the historic patient's bill of rights that we enacted last year and replace it with the insurance industry's right to discriminate. That's bad news for children, women, seniors and our economy. If the patient's bill of rights is repealed, people in Contra Costa and Solano counties and throughout California will be irreparably harmed. Read More »
September 23, 2010
Real People Really Helped by the Patient's Bill of Rights
Gail was told by her doctor, “Either you dip into your retirement fund, or you’re going to die.” Because of health care reform, she can now choose to live and keep her retirement. Gail, previously denied coverage because she has a pre-existing condition, was able to enroll in a temporary high-risk pool to receive the cancer treatment she needs and deserves because of the Patient’s Bill of Rights. By 2014, no insurance company in the nation will be allowed to deny her care. Read More »
June 23, 2010
Join Me at My Women Veterans Fair
We must always honor and help the soldiers, veterans, and their families who sacrifice so much for this country. No matter our views on specific policies or wars, I think we can all agree those who risk their lives for this country should be given access to quality veterans’ benefits, health care, and job opportunities. I have met brave men and women in uniform throughout my district, during multiple visits to Travis Air Force Base and recent Memorial Day Services. One theme that recurs with frequency is the variety of unique challenges female soldiers face in the field and upon their return home. Read More »
June 15, 2010
On Israel and the Flotilla Incident
I also call on all powers in the Middle East to value human life and do everything possible to avoid bloodshed. The loss of life in the flotilla incident was tragic, and I look forward to the findings of the recently formed Independent Public Commission, which will examine such issues as the naval blockade of Gaza, actions taken by the Commandos during flotilla incident, and the identities and conduct of the organizers and participants of the flotilla. In the mean time, we must focus on avoiding escalation, preventing more violence, and continuing the peace process. The greatest tragedy would be to allow the flotilla incident to end the region’s prospects for peace. Read More »
May 10, 2010
"Major scientific breakthroughs occur every year at the Livermore labs, and it’s important that we harness these advances to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and improve our way of life," said Congressman Garamendi. “My bill creates a technology transfer center at the Lawrence Livermore and Sandia labs, making it easier for private sector companies and universities to convert ideas into employment engines." Read More »
April 21, 2010
Health Care Reform: What’s in it for You?
Congressman John Garamendi had the privilege to vote for a comprehensive health insurance reform bill that will expand coverage to 32 million Americans. As your former State Insurance Commissioner and a long time state legislator, Congressman Garamendi has long been an advocate for reforming our broken health care laws. Under our new health care laws, many important reforms will come into effect this year. Read More »
April 21, 2010
Tax Cuts for You: Lower Taxes, More Opportunities
According to Bruce Bartlett, a conservative economist and economic advisor to President Reagan, "federal taxes are very considerably lower by every measure since Obama became president." In a little more than a year since the Recovery Act was signed into law and after other measures put into place by Democrats, Americans are seeing the real benefits of Democratic tax cuts and credits. Read More »
April 7, 2010
Northern California Residents: I'm Hosting a Job Resources Fair this Saturday
At the job resources fair, participants will have access to one-on-one resume review and interview skills training. In addition, we are also hosting some helpful workshops. Read More »
March 21, 2010
In Order to Form a More Perfect Union...
With the passage of time a more perfect union has emerged and a broader consensus has been reached. Yet for many Americans justice is not yet secured. When personal and national economic conditions deny individuals access to the health care necessary for survival, where is the justice? The Declaration of Independence calls for every American to have access to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Yet 45,000 Americans die each year because they do not have health insurance and millions more uninsured remain one accident away from economic devastation. For the victims and their families, lives are robbed, liberty is not pursued, happiness is not attained. Read More »
January 28, 2010
"And let me be clear, I’m not the least bit concerned about using majority rule in the Senate to pass meaningful health care reform. Congress has employed reconciliation in the past to make major policy shifts, including the passage of welfare reform and the Bush tax cuts, and the fact of the matter is this country will find itself in serious trouble if we do not act now. No one Senator should feel entitled to veto power over 17% percent of our economy." Read More »
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My Work in Congress
I am proud to serve in leadership as a Democratic Assistant Whip and as a member of the Congressional Make It In America Working Group. I also serve on the House Armed Services and Natural Resources Committees.
Today in Congress
My Voting Record
| Date | RC# | Bill | Vote |
| 02-14 | 49 | JOURNAL | Yea |
| 02-9 | 48 | H R 3630 | Yea |
| 02-9 | 47 | S 2038 | Yea |
| 02-8 | 46 | H R 3521 | Aye |
| 02-8 | 45 | H R 3521 | Aye |
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