Garamendi Sworn in as Representative for California’s 8th Congressional District
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) was sworn in as the Representative for California's newly drawn 8th Congressional District during the first day of session in the new 118th Congress.
California's 8th Congressional District includes the cities of Vallejo, Fairfield, Antioch, Richmond, Pittsburg, Martinez, San Pablo, Suisun City, Hercules, El Cerrito, and Pinole.
"It's a great honor to continue representing Solano and Contra Costa counties in Congress," Garamendi said. "My title is ‘Representative,' and that's exactly what I will be. My team and I are here to listen and address every need in our community, and I will always lend my voice in service to the people of California's 8th Congressional District.
"The last two years have been some of the most challenging times in American history," Garamendi continued. "A once-in-a-century pandemic triggered a global economic crisis, and the political division in America that former President Trump fueled and fomented for years culminated with the January 6th insurrection that killed and injured law enforcement officers and shook our nation to its core. America required a steady hand and true leadership to heal our nation and lead us forward to new heights.
"Thankfully, that leadership is exactly what President Biden and the 117th Congress provided. Less than two months into the Biden Administration, we enacted the American Rescue Plan into law to provide life-saving vaccines, save our economy and small businesses, support essential workers, and get America back on track from the COVID-19 pandemic," Garamendi continued.
"The work I did with President Biden and other senior members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to develop the Infrastructure and Jobs Act—a historic investment in our nation's infrastructure and middle class—is helping grow our economy, repair our crumbling infrastructure with American materials and workers, develop public transportation, bridges, and roads that can withstand the impacts of climate change, and create millions of new good-paying middle class jobs," Garamendi continued.
"I was also honored to support the Inflation Reduction Act—which delivers the single largest investment to combat climate change in American history and promotes social and economic justice in our Congressional District and throughout the whole nation. The legislation also caps the out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs for seniors and supports the Affordable Care Act to lower healthcare costs for working families," Garamendi continued.
"When I served in California's State Legislature, I helped author and pass the first assault weapons ban to become law anywhere in America. My bill later became the basis for the federal assault weapons ban that was in effect from 1994-2004, and saved countless lives. Last year, I had the honor of advocating for and supporting the first major gun safety legislation to become law in 30 years. This will help stem the tide of gun violence in every corner of America," Garamendi continued.
"I also had the honor of introducing my bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act to tackle unfair trade practices and price gouging that have negatively impacted American businesses and consumers. With broad support from Congress and President Biden, my legislation became law and will help tackle inflation as well as the longstanding trade imbalances America has with countries like China," Garamendi continued.
"Yes, President Biden and the Democratic Congress accomplished a lot, and that's created an America that is stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous than ever before. However, I will never take my foot off the pedal. There is more work to be done to support the American people," Garamendi continued.
"As I was sworn in, I stood with renewed optimism ready to work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Solano and Contra Costa counties to meet the great challenges of our day," Garamendi concluded.