John In The News
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.
Solano congressman makes rounds in Fairfield
Fairfield Daily Republic | David DeBolt | August 30, 2011Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, praised The Leaven for raising student achievement and “reducing trouble” at its sites. “The evidence is there from the other three centers,” Garamendi said. “They ought to be everywhere.”
House members sound off on Obama’s nominee
Inside Bay Area / Contra Costa Times | Josh Richman | July 18, 2011“This is an extremely important agency, necessary for the protection of all Americans, whether they have a home mortgage or a credit card,” Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said in response to my query. “The President appointed a person who will aggressively protect consumers. I look forward to his work. I also want to thank Elizabeth Warren for her hard work in establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. With proper resources, this institution will strengthen our economic security for years to come.”
Contra Costa County awarded $499K for school-based health clinics
In Contra Costa Blog | claycord.com | July 14, 2011“Education and health together constitute two essential building blocks for happy, fulfilling lives and they help our children compete in the global market for jobs- to Make It In America,” Garamendi said. “I applaud the Contra Costa County Health Services Department for securing the money for this valuable investment.”
Celebrations Mark Early Achievements Toward New Tri-Valley Jobs and Green Businesses
Livermore Patch | James Brice | July 5, 2011“From the sorts of things that are going on here, we are going to re-establish the American manufacturing sector,” Garamendi predicted. Four collaborations with emerging companies have already been established, noted i-GATE president Bruce Balfour. All could potentially establish manufacturing and administrative facilities in Livermore and other Tri-Valley communities.
ANALYSIS: Insurers's bait and switch
iWatch News | Wendell Potter | June 30, 2011Former California Insurance Commissioner and now Congressman John Garamendi saw this coming several years ago and did his best to halt the growth of high-deductible plans, but he had no real power to do so. He told reporters in 2005, while still serving as insurance commissioner, that high-deductible plans would eventually result in a “death spiral” for HMOs and PPOs. This would happen, he predicted, as insurers and employers initially cherry-picked the youngest, healthiest and richest customers while forcing managed care plans to charge more to cover the sickest patients.
Congressman John Garamendi Hits Tough Issues at Q&A Session
Walnut Creek Patch | Linda Park | June 29, 2011Sandy Person, one of people at the Q&A, said she thought Garamendi did a great job discussing what she felt were complex problems. “I thought he demonstrated a considerable knowledge of a lot of the problems we face,” Person said. “His comprehensive depth of understanding is insightful.”
Study to Look at BART Initiative Impacts
The Livermore Indepenent | | June 18, 2011A letter from Congressman John Garamendi was read into the record. It confirmed his support for the downtown-Vasco route. He stated that it would provide the most long term value for Livermore. Garamendi has served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Meeting.
Garamendi touts the tenth on 'Colbert Report'
Danville Express News | Jessica Lipsky | June 13, 2011In the segment "Better Know a District," Garamendi answers questions about the 10th district, which runs from Dixon to Livermore, and simultaneously denies requests to see pictures of Osama Bin Laden's corpse while being called Gary.
California House Democrats oppose water bill that favors Central Valley farmers
KPCC | Kitty Felde | June 13, 2011Congressman John Garamendi says the measure kicks off a water war. "California has a long history of powerful organizations and people stealing water," he says, "and here we go one more time, this time with the Westlands Water District stealing from the existing water rights holders."
Sponsor Special: Rep. John Garamendi
Main Street Insider | | June 6, 2011Mr. Garamendi offers an impassioned defense of his legislation, highlights the need for government action to create jobs, and scathingly critiques both the wisdom and motives of those who oppose Buy American requirements.
Homeland Security Grant Helps Contra Costa Fire Maintain Its Stations
Concord Patch | | May 19, 2011“Even in financially challenging times, it is essential that these men and women continue to protect the health and well-being of our community. Simply put, this grant helps our firefighters keep us safe," Garamendi said.
Calif. Lawmaker Casts Sole Dissenting Vote Against War Expansion
CBS Los Angeles | | May 17, 2011Garamendi’s opposition to the bill was not only toward the continuation of the war in Afghanistan, but also focused specifically on Section 1034, which would authorize an expansion of worldwide war authority for U.S. counter-terrorism efforts
Garamendi in bipartisan push vs. Afghanistan war
Inside Bay Area / Contra Costa Times | Josh Richman | May 9, 2011Last week it was the progressives urging President Barack Obama to speed up withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in the wake of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden’s death. Today it’s a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove.
Farmers and fishermen unite to restore Delta, stop peripheral canal
AlterNet | Dan Bacher | May 6, 2011“I have lived in the Delta since 1977 and this is one of the first times that we have pulled together the farming community and fishing interests,” said Representative John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove). “There is a symbiotic relationship between the agricultural community and aquatic interests. We have to work together to protect the Delta – the solution is not to export more water out of the Delta.”
Future funding for special operations forces looks bright, analysts say
CNN Radio Report | | May 5, 2011The drawn-out deployment in Afghanistan proves terrorism isn't fought with 100,000 boots on the ground, said Democratic Congressman John Garamendi, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. It's deep intelligence gathering coupled with smaller special ops forces, whose skill set proves invaluable in sensitive missions targeting terrorists.
As Exxon Pays Zero Taxes, Fox Host Defends Big Oil Subsidies By Claiming It Pays The Most Taxes
Think Progress | Zaid Jilani | April 7, 2011Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) appeared on Fox Business Network yesterday and criticized the industry’s subsidies, asking why we they need billions of dollars a year from taxpayers.
California Congressman Returns to Ethiopian Roots
Voices of America | Peter Heinlein | March 24, 2011The California congressman recalls another visit to the Horn of Africa in the late 1990s as part of a peacekeeping mission when the region was engulfed in war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Garamendi says the mission succeeded largely because both Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki trusted the Peace Corps.
Garamendi urges Senate to pass home lending reform
KGO ABC 7 | Ken Miguel | July 6, 2010Few places in the country have been harder hit by the housing crisis than western Contra Costa County. That is where Congressman John Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, was Tuesday, urging the Senate to pass comprehensive home lending reform.
Elected officials and advocates in Antioch to tout bill meant to aid homeowners
Contra Costa Times | Paul Burgarino | July 6, 2010Hess and his wife, Carmela, spoke at a news conference Tuesday held by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, Antioch leaders and local housing advocates to tout a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives aimed in part at helping struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure.
162 House Votes for an Exit Strategy From Afghanistan
The Nation | John Nichols | July 2, 2010"We’ve been in Afghanistan for nine years, making it the longest war in our nation’s history, and it’s come at a tremendous cost. We’ve tragically lost more than 1,100 American lives and spent close to $300 billion. We’ve also been in Iraq for seven years, where we’ve lost more than 4,400 American lives and spent more than $700 billion," explained Congressman John Garamendi.
Labor Secretary: $19 million for NUMMI workers
San Jose Mercury News | George Avalos | June 7, 2010A congressman from the East Bay, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said it's possible the NUMMI factory could be used for more than electric vehicles. After all, the auto factory measures about 5.4 million square feet.
Lawmakers eager to raise limit on spill damage
San Francisco Chronicle | Jennifer A. Dlouhy | May 6, 2010Garamendi said the Deepwater Horizon disaster should mark "a turning point in our national discussion on new offshore drilling."
Gulf oil spill: More calls for moratorium on offshore drilling
Los Angeles Times | http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/05/gulf-oil-spill-more-calls-for-moratorium-on-offshore-drilling.html | May 5, 2010"Enough is enough," Rep. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek) declared in a letter to House colleagues seeking support for a bill introduced Wednesday to permanently ban new energy exploration off California, Oregon and Washington state.
Pleasant Hill Job Fair Sponsored By Rep. Garamendi
Bay City News | | April 10, 2010More than 40 employers and organizations will be participating in a free job resource fair Saturday at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, according to U.S. Rep. John Garamendi.
Bay Area Legislators Celebrate Health Care Vote
CBS 5 | | March 22, 2010A bill reforming America's health care system, what one Bay Area congressman said was "one of the most important bills in the past 40 years," was approved tonight by the U.S. House of Representatives.
As Anthem Blue Cross sends profits to WellPoint, it plans hefty rate hikes for Californians
Los Angeles Times | Lisa Girion | February 22, 2010"The extraordinary greed of Anthem/WellPoint Blue Cross is a clear indication that this company has put profit before people," said Garamendi, who as California insurance commissioner presided over the merger. "People need to be able to get out of the shark pool with a public-option lifeboat."
Garamendi tours Solano County clean energy plant
Vacaville Reporter | Kimberly Fu | February 21, 2010A blue sky late last week perfectly backlit a series of monolithic wind turbines in the Montezuma Hills, their unmoving blades casting long shadows that shaded slumbering cattle. The 26-story turbines, part of Solano's Shiloh II Wind Project, and the clean energy they produce, were the impetus for an hours-long visit Thursday by Congressman John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, who serves on the House Science and Technology Committee.
Get to know Rep. John Garamendi
Politico | Anne Schroeder Mullins | February 16, 2010We have seen the defunding of schools, transportation infrastructure, research capabilities, and everything else that helps grow an economy. California's constitution should be re-examined. I believe that California will reach its full potential when majority rule is restored.
Blue Cross Backs Off, But Only A Bit
California Progress Report | Anthony Wright | February 14, 2010As pointed out in Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times, the only real authority the Commissioner has is on an related issue, which is whether Anthem Blue Cross was abiding by a 70% "medical loss ratio" requirement--whether 70% of premium dollars were going to patient care, rather than administration and profit. (That requirement was increased from 50% to 70% by former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi in his last year before becoming Lt. Governor. Federal health reform would increase that requirement to around 85%.)
Trust helping to preserve ranchlands -- and wildlife
| Dennis Cuff | February 13, 2010Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, a rancher and former California lieutenant governor, donated a conservation easement on his Calaveras County land to the rangeland trust. ... "What do you do?" he said. "The land will be worth a lot of money, but do you keep it in ranching? ... Money isn't everything."
Schwarzenegger's Jobs Record 'As Bad as His B Movies'
AFL-CIO Now Blog | Tula Connell | February 12, 2010Rep. John Garamendi told the crowd of more than 700 that representatives in Congress are committed to delivering on jobs right away, providing relief to the millions in California and around the country who are without work during the Great Recession of the past two years. Garamendi said Congress is working hard to jump-start ready-to-go infrastructure projects that will put people to work while repairing our crumbling roads, bridges and schools.
States race to pre-empt health reform
Politico | Patrick O'Connor | February 9, 2010The state’s former lieutenant governor, Democratic Rep. John Garamendi, said the state Senate vote "keeps the issue moving and the debate alive" by motivating the base to confront the issue of the uninsured.
Insurer may have violated law, report reveals
San Francisco Chronicle | Carla Marinucci | February 8, 2010Former state insurance commissioner John Garamendi, now a congressman, said that starting in 2002 his office "received complaints about Mercury's practices - and those complaints rose to the level where we felt it was necessary to investigate."
Garamendi vows to play D.C. money game for his California district
| | February 7, 2010"No one will outfight John Garamendi in advocating for the needs and interests of the people he represents," said Andy Stone, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Gates looks to ease DADT discharges while repeal is studied
Bay Area Reporter | Chuck Colbert | February 4, 2010"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' has robbed our national defense of over 13,000 vital troops and armed service personnel, including scores of Arabic translators," Garamendi said in a statement. "At a time when America is fighting wars on two fronts and facing financial uncertainty, it is painfully clear that we must work swiftly to end DADT. All Americans, gay or straight, should be able to proudly serve our country."
Garamendi to hold telephone town hall meeting
Bay City News | | February 3, 2010Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, is inviting 30,000 of his constituents to take part in his first telephone town hall meeting tonight. ... [He] is holding the telephone town hall tonight to reach out to his district's less densely populated areas.
Rep. Garamendi: ‘Unending negotiations’ damaged health care bill
Raw Story | Sahil Kapur | February 3, 2010A champion of the public option, Garamendi alleged that the provision was ultimately removed to placate opponents of reform, leaving us with a compromised piece of legislation. He also said delays have hurt its very chances for survival.
Pols, Media, Celebrate High Speed Rail Grant for California
Streetsblog | Elana Schor | January 29, 2010Meanwhile, Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) -- who joined Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) to craft California's first high-speed rail legislation 20 years ago -- called the funding announcement "a great first step for a program that I will continue to fight hard for in Congress in the months and years ahead."
FTC Study Bill Heads Toward Showdown
National Underwriter | Arthur Postal | January 28, 2010The bill also would keep the McCarran-Ferguson Act antitrust exemption from applying to health insurers and medical malpractice insurers. ... The chief supporters of the latest bill are Rep. Pete DeFazio, Ore.., and Rep. Louise Slaughter, N.Y. Another supporter is Rep. John Garamendi, Calif., a new member of Congress and former state insurance commissioner.
Proposals Clash on States’ Role in Health Plans
Lakeland Ledger | Reed Abelson | January 14, 2010"The role of the federal government is to put in place a national marketplace," said one of the speakers, Representative John Garamendi of California and a former state insurance commissioner. He says that some states simply do not have the money or inclination to enforce the new laws.
San Luis Obispo New Times | Colin Rigley | January 14, 2010Former Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who held one of three seats on the Lands Commission and opposed the PXP project, has since moved on to a congressional seat. "My position on the PXP deal remains unchanged," Garamendi said in a statement. "Any decision on offshore oil drilling belongs at the California State Lands Commission. ... If Gov. Schwarzenegger insists that the fate of our state parks is derived from a single oil lease off the coast of Santa Barbara, he is presenting yet another false choice."
Bay Area's Haitians worry, wait for news of loved ones
| | January 13, 2010Also Wednesday, a C-17 shipped out of Travis Air Force Base en route to Haiti. The plan, from the 21st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, stopped first in Riverside to pick up supplies and personnel, according to information from the office of Rep. John Garamendi.
Travis Air Force Base Assisting with Federal
KCRA | | January 13, 2010"Travis Air Force Base, located in California's 10th Congressional District, is playing its part in this response as well," Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek), said in a statement. "This is the first plane sent out from the entire Air Mobility Command of the USA, and a vital step in the much broader relief effort."
Health Policy Experts Push For House Language In Final Version Of Health Care Bill
Huffington Post | Jeff Muskus | January 12, 2010But if the final reform bill winds up looking more like the Senate bill than the House bill, those protections will be easy for insurers to work around in the new insurance exchanges, Rep. John Garamendi, health policy experts and former industry insiders told reporters on a conference call Tuesday.
Members Meet to Talk Health Care
89.3 KPCC | Kitty Felde | January 12, 2010One wag noted that if Nancy Pelosi could get enough Democrats to find the hidden room, maybe Congress could actually pass health care legislation. Oh, and which member had Pelosi's ear as she descended the grand staircase? California's newest member, John Garamendi.
FireDogLake | Jason Rosenbaum | January 12, 2010As California Congressional Representative John Garamendi told reporters today, "Under health reform, 30 million people will buy their insurance through the Exchanges. I spent years as insurance commissioner in California, chasing after the insurance company scoundrels. You’re going to toss 30 million Americans to these sharks unless there is a real strong regulatory environment [like the House's Exchanges] and public option."
Progressives Push Lawmakers To Close The Loopholes In Health Care Reform
Think Progress' Wonk Room | Igor Volsky | January 12, 2010This afternoon, Health Care for America Now (HCAN) hosted a press call outlining some of the remaining loopholes in federal health care reform legislation. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), health expert Karen Pollitz, former Blue Cross chief medical officer and former state regulator Michael McGarvey, and Wendell Potter urged lawmakers to include a national health care exchange in the final health care reform bill.
Stimulus Money Put To Work on BART Project
KCBS | Margie Shafer | January 8, 2010Millions of dollars in stimulus funds are being spent on an East Bay BART project. The project is designed to put more seats on trains. "This is one example right here of where the Recovery Act money is being put to good use, people are working, people are able to pay taxes, take care of their families, have the pride of work," declared Congressman John Garamendi. "And, leave behind something that will be used for the next hundred years."
eBART Extension Nears Bid, Rep Garamendi Tours Station Sites
Streetsblog | Matthew Roth | January 8, 2010Representative Garamendi spent most of his day traveling to meetings on transportation policy and in the afternoon visited the Central Contra Costa Crossover project, which began construction in October 2009. The project, funded in part with $13 million in federal stimulus funds, will add two sections of crossover tracks between the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill stations. When completed in December 2010, the Crossover project will mean riders on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line will have more seating, more frequent trains and better on-time performance during commute hours.
New congressman takes bus tour of East Contra Costa
Contra Costa Times | Paul Burgarino | January 7, 2010Rep. John Garamendi recently took the wheel of the 10th Congressional District. But Thursday he took a back seat when hearing about transportation needs in East Contra Costa County.During a bus tour along Highway 4, Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, heard from local elected leaders and officials from Contra Costa Transportation Authority, BART and Tri Delta Transit about the transportation issues facing the area.
Freshman California Congressman Garamendi talks about life in Washington
89.3 KPCC | Kitty Felde | December 3, 2009California’s newest member of Congress may be a freshman on Capitol Hill, but he’s a veteran with more years of public service than most of his colleagues.
Bay Area Representatives not persuaded
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | December 2, 2009"(Obama) faces a difficult decision on a war he inherited, and I know his heart is in the right place," said Rep. John Garamendi. "But my first priority has to be here at home and creating jobs. Our national security depends upon the strength of our economy and we have spent $1 trillion on both of these wars (Iraq and Afghanistan). I remain unconvinced that more troops will solve the problem."
Jobs, LLNL Retiree Health Benefits Among Topics At Garamendi Meeting
Livermore Independent | Ron McNicoll | November 19, 2009Rep. John Garamendi sounded the theme of interlinking research and development with job creation in a town hall meeting in Livermore.
Garamendi wins transportation assignment
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | November 19, 2009Congress is scheduled to reauthorize its national transportation spending blueprint in the next year. The legislation typically contains formulas that spell out the return of gas tax dollars to states. Committee members have considerable influence over its contents as well as earmarks for specific projects.
Drew Joseph: Garamendi's committee assignments
San Francisco Chronicle | Drew Joseph | November 19, 2009It looks like Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, will be joining the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.
How would healthcare bill affect California?
San Jose Mercury News | Mike Zapler | November 15, 2009"A public option would provide an automatic alternative to that kind of despicable behavior," Garamendi said. "People could walk."
Garamendi's town a step back in time
Contra Costa Times | Matt O'Brien | November 15, 2009There is the waitress at Alma's Cafe who saw it from a house boat and had to stay; the former police officer who patrolled the town and now oversees the 82-year-old Walnut Grove Buddhist Church; the parents who overcame language barriers to rescue the elementary school from threats of closure; the San Francisco transplants restoring the traditional Japanese baths; and U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, who moved here while serving as an assemblyman in 1977.
Garamendi Takes Heat in First Town Hall
CBS 5 | Hank Plante | November 12, 2009It was a smooth beginning for Garamendi, who clearly may have found his political niche after three decades in other offices.
Rep. Garamendi holds debut town hall
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | November 12, 2009He may be a new congressman but the former lieutenant governor of California and 35-year veteran of public office easily handled his outspoken critics.
Rep. Garamendi Gets Earful From His New Constituents
KTVU | Randy Shandobil | November 12, 2009America's newest Congressman John Garamendi has been living life at warp speed. In Livermore today for his first Congressional town hall. But let's rewind the clock. Special election, voted into office just nine days ago. Cross country flight. Sworn into office a week ago. Just two days later, the historic vote in the House on health care reform. Garamendi voted yes. Found an apartment in Washington, flew back home.
Local congressmen tout health bill vote
Vacaville Reporter | | November 10, 2009Congressman John Garamendi, D-Solano, was sworn in as 10th District Representative (which includes Fairfield) on Thursday, just in time to participate in Saturday's vote. In comments on the House floor, he told the story of a friend whose son had kidney failure and was told his insurance didn't cover transplants. "They had to choose between debt or life. They chose life," he said, noting that when the boy turns 23, he'll be uninsurable "because he has a prior existing condition." The House bill, he concluded, would "end this despicable situation."
UC Regent Garamendi Wins Seat in Congress
The Daily Cal | Chris Carrassi | November 5, 2009Garamendi, 64, graduated from UC Berkeley in 1966 with a degree in business and was a second team all-American football player as an offensive guard. As lieutenant governor, Garamendi serves as an ex-officio member of the UC Board of Regents where he has opposed student fee increases and pushed for the implementation of a state oil-extraction tax as a means to fund higher education.
John Garamendi sworn in as congressman
KPCC Radio | Kitty Felde | November 5, 2009Garamendi easily won Tuesday’s special election to replace Ellen Tauscher. She left Congress to work in the State Department. Garamendi thanked Walnut Creek voters for their support. ... Capitol insiders expect Garamendi to join the House Transportation Committee. It’s gearing up to debate a major funding bill for roads and transit.
Garamendi Gets Right To Work in New Digs
NBC Bay Area | Lori Preuitt | November 5, 2009His arrival is very welcome timing for the Democrats. Pelosi needs his vote on her health care reform bill. That bill will mostly likely be Garamendi's first act as a member of congress and is expected to come this weekend.
Congressman Garamendi Sworn In
KCBS Radio | Holly Quan | November 5, 2009"Madame speaker is it is a great privilege, indeed I suspect, the greatest privilege a person could have - to stand in the well of the House of Representatives of the United States of America and address this august body," said Garamendi. "It's a privilege that I shall always remember, as I'll always remember this particular moment."
Garamendi on his way to Washington
San Francisco Chronicle Editorial | | November 5, 2009The freshman's first major vote could come Saturday, when the House is expected to vote on a health care plan. The good news is that health care is one of many issues on which Garamendi - a former state legislator, insurance commissioner and deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior - is very well versed. We have no doubt about his ability to hit the ground running.
Pelosi: Health care has two more votes
Chicago Tribune's The Swamp | Mark Silva | November 5, 2009For House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who plans to take a health-care overhaul to the floor of the House on Saturday, this week's elections meant one thing: Two more votes.
Congress gets another voice on health-care reform
The Washington Post | Ezra Klein | November 4, 2009In other words, Pelosi got more than another health-care vote out of Tuesday's election. She got another health-care wonk. It's probably a bit late for Garamendi to establish himself as a player in this reform fight, but the proposal is going to need guidance and modification after it's passed into law, and it'll be interesting to watch whether he proves a player in that phase.
Get This Guy a Committee Assignment
The New Republic | Jonathan Cohn | November 4, 2009Most of you know John Garamendi (if you know him at all) as the former California state official who won a special election for Ellen Tauscher's old seat in Congress. But those of us in the business of health wonkery know him as one of our own.
Garamendi sworn in as California's newest congressman
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | November 4, 2009"This is the perfect job for John," said Barbara O'Connor, director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and Media at California State University in Sacramento. "He has been aspiring to this job for years and just didn't know it. He is the best equipped freshman congressman we have ever sent to Washington."
Garamendi takes the oath and gets to work
McClatchy Newspapers | Rob Hotakainen | November 4, 2009At her weekly news conference, Pelosi hailed Garamendi's arrival as "a great victory for our agenda." She said the biggest issue in the race was the Democratic health care plan, which was under attack, but that Garamendi still won big.
Talking Points Memo | Brian Beutler | November 4, 2009That creates some simple arithmetic. Yesterday, Democrats had 256 voting members in the House. By week's end, they'll have 258. Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could afford to lose no more than 38 Democratic votes on a landmark health care reform bill. Next week, after Owens and Garamendi are sworn in, she can lose up to 40. For legislation this historic and far-reaching, she'll need every vote she can get--and both seem likely to support reform.