2021 Accomplishments

As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Garamendi has for the past six years been selected to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the annual defense authorization bill during conference negotiations. This has given him a significant voice in helping to set military policy, advocate for our service members, and protect the vital missions at Travis and Beale Air Force Bases. He also serves as Chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, which oversees over one-third of the Department of Defense's authorization--the largest of any Armed Services Subcommittee.

On the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Garamendi has helped author a long-awaited five-year highway bill, four water resource development bills, and a rail reauthorization. He is also a member of two Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittees: the Water Resources and Environment subcommittee and the Economic Development, and Public Buildings and Emergency Management subcommittee. In these capacities, he advances his "Make It In America" agenda to create new middle-class jobs and rebuild our nation's crumbling infrastructure using American materials and workers.

Below is an overview of the work Garamendi accomplished in the 117th Congress. Accomplishments from the 116th Congress can be found below those of the 117th.

OVERVIEW:
• 33 Bills Introduced: To date, Congressman Garamendi has introduced 32 bills and 1 resolution.
• 4 Sponsored Enacted: To date, 3 bills Congressman Garamendi has sponsored have been signed into law, all of which had Senate companions.
• 4 Cosponsored Enacted: To date, 4 bills Congressman Garamendi has cosponsored have been signed into law.
• 36 Cosponsored Passed: To date, 36 bills Congressman Garamendi has cosponsored have passed the House.
• 43 Committee Consideration: To date, 43 bills Congressman Garamendi has cosponsored have been considered by a House committee.
• 7 Amendments Enacted: To date, 7 amendments Congressman Garamendi has sponsored or co-lead in Committee or on the House floor have been signed into law.
• 14 Amendments Adopted: by House Committee or the full House.

ENACTED INTO LAW (4 Bills):

H.R.5059, Make It in America Act
• Status: 11/15/2021, Enacted under Title II of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), with Senator Stabenow (D-MI).

H.R.3340, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act for Airports
• Status: 11/15/2021, Enacted under subtitle A of Title IX of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), with Senator Duckworth (D-IL).

H.R.1739, Support Our Military Working Dogs Act
• Status: 12/27/2021, Enacted under section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81), with Senator Blackburn (R-TN).

H.R.104, To authorize the Maritime Administrator to use certain appropriated funds to purchase duplicate medals authorized under Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020, and for other purposes.
• Status: 12/27/2021, Enacted under section 3518 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81).

PARTIALLY ENACTED INTO LAW (2 Bills):

H.R.2468, Made in America Act
• Status: 11/15/2021, Partially enacted under subtitle A of Title IX of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), with Senator Baldwin (D-WI). Several other provisions were included in the "INVEST in America Act" (H.R.3684) passed by the House.

H.R.5560, Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act
• Status: 12/27/2021, Partially enacted under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81).

FLOOR CONSIDERATION (4 Bills):

H.R.4996, Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021
• Status: 12/08/2021, Passed the House by bipartisan vote of 364 to 60 (Roll no. 406) under suspension of the Rules.

H.R.4261, Pipeline Seismic Safety Study Act
• Status: 07/01/2021, Passed by the House as en bloc amendment to the "INVEST in America Act" (H.R.3684).

H.R.4260, Investing in Commonsense Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) Act of 2021
• Status: 09/23/21, Failed as floor amendment to the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (H.R.4350) by a bipartisan vote 118 to 299.

H.R.1230, To adjust the boundary of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.
• Status: 02/26/2021, Passed by the House as en bloc amendment to "Protecting America's Wilderness Act" (H.R.803)

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION (2 Bills):

H.R.5862, To amend title 10, United States Code, to codify and expand the authority for joint task forces of the Department of Defense to support law enforcement agencies conducting counter-terrorism, counter-illicit trafficking, or counter-transnational organized crime activities, and for other purposes.
• Status: 09/22/2021, Reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Armed Service as section 1011 of the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (S.2792). Not included in the House's FY22 NDAA or the final law.

H.R.1456, Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2021
• Status: 09/30/2021, Reported favorably by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

ASSUMED SPONSORSHIP (3 Bills):

H.R.5692, Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2021
• Status: 10/22/2021, Introduced thereby assuming sponsorship from former Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) last Congress.

H.R.4261, Pipeline Seismic Safety Study Act
• Status: 06/30/2021, Introduced thereby assuming sponsorship from former Rep. Harley Rouda (D-CA) last Congress.

H.R.3099, Primary Regulators of Insurance Vote Act of 2021
• Status: 05/11/2021 Introduced, thereby assuming sponsorship from former Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA) last Congress.

AMENDMENTS ENACTED INTO LAW (7 Total):

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
• Status: On 12/27/2021, President Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81) including the following 7 Garamendi amendments:

o Garamendi #991: Requires annual report on number of airlift contracts awarded to foreign airlines; Codifies current DOD policy requiring military personnel and cargo transported by commercial airlines be on chartered aircraft certified for safety by DOD's Commercial Airlift Review Board (Readiness En Bloc #1). Enacted as Section 1083 (Improvement of transparency and congressional oversight of civil reserve air fleet) of the FY22 NDAA.

o Garamendi #1206: Includes significant Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) projects on DOD's online listing of military construction projects and MilCon contracting awards (Readiness En Bloc #2). From Reps. Kim (D-NJ) and Garamendi's "Put Our Neighbors to Work Act" (H.R.4321), enacted as Section 2801 (Public availability of information on Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization projects) of the FY22 NDAA.

o Garamendi #1208: Gives Coast Guard the statutory authority to provide assistance to the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) enabling this mutual aid society to receive enhanced support (Readiness En Bloc #2). Enacted as Section 1043 (Authority to provide space and services to military welfare societies) of the FY22 NDAA.

o Garamendi #1199 (revised): Authorizes DOD to make use of federally registered apprenticeship programs for training military personnel, civilian employees, and DOD contractors on anti-corrosion activities (Chairman's En Bloc #2). Enacted as Section 813 (Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight employee training requirements) of the FY22 NDAA.

o Garamendi #17: Directs DOD to implement its own recommendations on improving use of unmanned aircraft systems by the National Guard, from Congressionally directed review/report. From Rep. Garamendi's "Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act" (H.R.5560), enacted as Section 514 (Implementation of certain recommendations regarding use of unmanned aircraft systems by the National Guard) of the FY22 NDAA.

o Garamendi #98: Requires DOD/OMB to review existing authorities for using Air Force and Air National Guard modular airborne fire-fighting systems and other military assets to fight wildfires. Then requires update to the 2004 Congressionally directed report on any changes to the law needed to enhance those authorities. From Rep. Garamendi's "Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act" (H.R.5560), enacted as Section 1065 (Updated review and enhancement of existing authorities for using Air Force and Air National Guard modular airborne fire-fighting systems and other Department of Defense assets to fight wildfires) of the FY22 NDAA.

o Slotkin-Garamendi #1099: Requiring the Department of Defense to publish results of drinking and ground water PFAS testing conducted on or near military installations or former defense sites such that they are publicly available (Chairman's Mark En Bloc #3). From Reps. Slotkin (D-MI) and Garamendi's "Military PFAS Testing Disclosure Act" (H.5560) enacted as Section 345 (Public disclosure of results of Department of Defense testing of water for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances) of the FY22 NDAA.

AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY COMMITTEE/HOUSE (14 total):

H.R.3684, Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act
• Markup Status: 3 Garamendi amendments adopted by the House Committee on Transportation and infrastructure at markup on 06/10/2021 and passed by the full House on 07/01/2021.

o Garamendi #041 (revised): Adds emergencies under the Stafford Act to State authority to issue special 120-day permits exempting truck delivering relief supplies from federal weight limit. Current law only provides for "major disasters under the Stafford Act, which has limited usefulness for COVID pandemic and future public heath emergencies. Adopted as part of Chairman DeFazio's manager's amendment.

o Garamendi 042: Applies "Buy America" requirements to projects under 2015 FAST Act's pilot program for eliminating duplication of environmental reviews. Adopted as part of Chairman DeFazio's manager's amendment.

o Garamendi 045: Makes public projects for "hovercraft" ferries/facilities eligible for Surface Transportation Block Grant. Adopted by voice vote.

• Floor Status: 2 Garamendi amendments filed for the floor and adopted by the House on 07/01/2021.

o Garamendi-Burchett #7: Makes safety trainings for trailers on passenger vehicles eligible for grants under NHTSA's Highway Safety Programs.

o Garamendi #13: Makes a technical change to Section 1116 (Corrosion prevention for bridges) to ensure full implementation.

H.R.1915, Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021
• Status: 2 Garamendi amendments adopted by the House Committee on Transportation and infrastructure at markup on 06/09/2021.

o Garamendi #048: Repeals (25% federal cost) cap for Reclamation-funded water recycling/recuse (Title XVI) projects, mirroring Senate-passed S.914. Subjects all projects subject to same cost share for this competitive USEPA grant program for Alternative Water Source Projects (50%). Adopted as part of Chairman DeFazio's manager's amendment.

o Garamendi #049: Incorporates "corrosion-prevention activities" for eligible projects under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, as practicable. Adopted as part of Chairman DeFazio's manager's amendment.

H.R.5689, Resilient AMERICA Act
• Status: 1 Garamendi amendment adopted by the House Committee on Transportation and infrastructure at markup on 10/27/2021.

o Garamendi #109: Requires GAO report to Congress on the barriers to jurisdictions utilizing FEMA's Public Assistance Program Alternative Procedures.

H.R. 4350, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
• Markup Status: 2 Garamendi amendments adopted by the Committee on Armed Services at markup on 09/01/2021 and passed by full House on 09/23/2021.

o Garamendi #1148 (DRL): Creates a pilot program for oral rehydration solutions (MilPers En Bloc #2).

o Garamendi #1462 (DRL): Transfer of U.S. Coast Guard HC-130H Aircraft to the State of California (Chairman's Mark En Bloc #3).

• Floor Status: 4 Garamendi amendments filed for the floor and adopted by the House on 09/23/2021:

o Kim-Garamendi #439: Requires that to the extent practicable, DoD shall give preference for military construction contracts to firms who certify that at least 51 percent of employees hired to perform the contract shall reside in the same State or within a 60-mile radius and requires all contractors and subcontractors for military construction (MilCon) projects be licensed in the state where the work is to be performed, and requires Congressional notification on major MilCon contracting/subcontracting awards. ). From Reps. Kim (D-NJ) and Garamendi's "Put Our Neighbors to Work Act" (H.R.4321).

o Garamendi-Davis # 838: Increases funding for cold weather capabilities.

o Garamendi #96: Requires the DOD to include accounting of costs for wildfire response in the annual budget request to Congress, including military support for states and FEMA/federal land management agencies. Current law only requires DOD to account for climate adaptation and mitigation costs on U.S. military installations in the President's annual budget request. From Rep. Garamendi's "Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act" (H.R.5560).

o Garamendi #97: Removes arbitrary cap on the number of excess military aircraft that DOD may transfer at no cost to DHS (FEMA) or the U.S. Forest Service for firefighting. Current law only allows DOD to transfer 7 excess military aircraft. Requires annual report to Congress by DOD on transfers of excess military aircraft authorized by prior NDAA's. From Rep. Garamendi's "Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act" (H.R.5560).

OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• January 6, 2021: Rep. Garamendi voted to certify the lawful results of the 2020 Presidential election shortly after the U.S. Capitol was cleared of rioters that violently stormed the building.

• February 4, 2021: Rep. Garamendi was reappointed by his House colleagues as Chair of Readiness Subcommittee for the 117th Congress, overseeing one-third of the Department of Defense's budget—the largest of any subcommittee on the Armed Services Committee: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-garamendi-reappoint...

• March 4, 2021: Rep. Garamendi voted to pass H.R. 1, the "For the People Act," a sweeping anti-corruption package to clean up Washington, protect and expand voting rights, restore integrity to government and put the needs, and priorities of the American people ahead of special interests: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-votes-pass-hi...

• May 11, 2021: Rep. Garamendi announced more than $122 million in emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students in California's 3rd Congressional District under the American Rescue Plan (Public Law 117-2): https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-announces-122...

• June 30, 2021: Rep. Garamendi announced that the United States Department of Transportation has awarded an $85.9 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant to the Yolo County Transportation District and the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) District 3 application to improve and expand 17 miles of the Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 corridors in Yolo and Sacramento Counties: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/86-million-federal-gran...

• July 21, 2021: Rep. Garamendi voted to protect Californian families from exposure to dangerous PFAS chemicals with H.R. 535, the "PFAS Action Act." This legislation will clean up these "forever chemicals," which pose a direct threat to public health, and introduce stronger protections against future pollution: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-votes-protect...

• August 24, 2021: Rep. Garamendi voted to protect the sacred right to vote with H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. As the United States faces the worst voter suppression campaign since Jim Crow, this landmark legislation will fight back against the partisan, anti-democratic barriers keeping voters — especially voters of color — from the ballot box by restoring the critical protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-votes-protect...

• November 15, 2021: Rep. Garamendi, a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, participated in the White House signing ceremony for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58). The legislation passed Congress on November 5th and was signed into law by President Biden today at the signing ceremony. Garamendi was one of the five original cosponsors of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the U.S. House of Representatives: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-participates-...

• November 17, 2021: Rep. Garamendi, a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, secured President Joe Biden's endorsement for the Congressman's bipartisan "Ocean Shipping Reform Act" (H.R.4996): https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-thanks-presid...

• November 19, 2021: Rep. Garamendi voted to pass the "Build Back Better Act" in the U.S. House of Representatives. This historic legislation will rebuild the American middle class by creating new jobs, cutting taxes, and lowering costs for essential goods and services: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-votes-pass-bu...

• December 8, 2021: Rep. Garamendi sponsored an amendment to the "Protecting Our Democracy Act" to prevent the partisan subversion of free and fair elections. Garamendi's amendment strikes an outdated provision in the Electoral Count Act of 1887 that would allow Secretaries of State and State Legislatures to decertify legitimate election results and install their preferred electors against the will of the voters: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-sponsors-amen...

• December 8, 2021: Rep. Garamendi, Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, voted to pass S. 1605, the bipartisan, bicameral text of the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022," by a bipartisan vote of 363-70. Garamendi secures much-needed funds for Travis and Beale Air Forces Bases and other key priorities for California in annual defense bill: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-secures-key-w...

• December 17, 2021: Rep. Garamendi, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that California will receive $4.8 billion in new federal funding under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) to create good-paying jobs for Californians improving roads and bridges across the state. This is the first round of funding under the five years of federal investment in California highways authorized by this new law: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/garamendi-announces-48-...