2018

  • Introduced legislation to change the cost of living adjustments for federal government retirement accounts to better reflect costs seniors face such as drug pricing and housing. (H.R. 1251)
  • Introduced a bill to rebuild America’s domestic shipbuilding and maritime industry with Republican Senator Wicker, by requiring a small percentage of exported crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) be transported on U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged vessels. (H.R. 5893)
  • Continued to lead the fight against the disastrous twin tunnels, including fighting back against legislation that would prohibit any lawsuits against the project.
  • Helped the City of Fairfield secure a $1.2 million federal grant to buy a modern, zero-emission bus fleet. This will improve air quality and allow for better bus routes throughout the city.
  • Authored a bill to allow students to refinance their student loans at a lower rate, much like homeowners do with their mortgage. (H.R. 4001)
  • Introduced legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in the U.S., to Merchant Mariners who sustained our armed forces during WWII. (H.R. 5879)
  • Authored a provision in the annual National Defense Authorization Act to authorize $114.7 million to begin the most urgent construction projects necessary to ready Travis for the arrival of the KC-46 mission.
  • Helped author a bipartisan provision in the FY18 appropriations bill that funds wildfire-firefighting like other natural disasters such as floods or tornados, allowing the Forest Service to do more preventative for management, like removing the millions of dead trees in California.
  • Fought to ensure that a provision in the tax bill that would have significantly harmed agricultural exporters, including growers in his district, was removed from the final tax bill passed by Congress.
  • Garamendi, along with Republican Doug LaMalfa, authored legislation to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to provide our school children with American-grown food, rather than food from China. (H.R. 1241)
  • Helped secure permits for critical emergency levee repairs in downtown Yuba City to keep local residents safe. Permits for this project would normally take years to acquire but were completed in mere months
  • Authored legislation making technical corrections and clarifications to the laws that govern the Coast Guard, to ensure that they are clear and that the Coast Guard’s roles and responsibilities are well-defined. (H.R. 5326)
  • Successfully petitioned the IRS to grant tax relief for homeowners struggling to rebuild after recent wildfires in Lake and Yuba Counties.
  • Fought successfully to remove provisions from the tax reform bill that would have incurred a massive tax hike on graduate students and those with student debt.
  • Authored a Coast Guard re-authorization bill with Republican Duncan Hunter, that passed the House as a part of a broader legislative package.
  • Ensured his provision providing $10 million to the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Homeland Security to jointly develop a GPS backup demonstration passed in the National Defense Authorization Act.
  • In conference negotiations of the National Defense Authorization Act, fought successfully to authorize the procurement of a new heavy polar icebreaker for our Coast Guard, which is vital to protecting American interests in the Arctic.

2019

  • Enacted legislation to designate the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as the first National Heritage Area in California and provided $10 million for community-based efforts to conserve the Delta’s cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and natural beauty. On March 12, the H.R. 357 was signed into law as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9).
  • Introduced and passed out of the House, the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R.550), which awards the Congressional Gold Medal to American merchant mariners of World War II, in recognition of their service. The bill accumulated 302 cosponsors.
  • Passed numerous bills through committee, including: Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing Disclosure Act (H.R.4374), H.R.1764, To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to permitting terms, and for other purposes, Flood Insurance for Farmers Act (H.R.830), and Service Member’s Occupational and Environmental Transparency Health (OATH) Act (H.R.2617).
  • Secured $181 million in new funding for construction projects at Travis and Beale Air Force Bases in the House’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
  • Included language in the House-passed NDAA to ensure the U.S. military is prepared to respond to climate change and be an ally in the fight to end the global climate crisis. The legislation takes unprecedented steps to empower the military to respond to the effects of climate change.
  • Included an amendment in the House-passed NDAA to address unhygienic and dangerous living conditions thousands of service members and their families are subject to in privately constructed military housing. The legislation establishes a “tenants’ bill of rights” to hold private housing contractors accountable for developing safe on-base housing for service members and their families.
  • Included full text of bipartisan OATH Act (H.R.2617) in the House-passed NDAA. The legislation ensures active-duty military personnel and veterans can accurately document any toxins they were exposed to while deployed, so they can receive VA treatment for any health issues stemming from that exposure.
  • Included language in the House-passed NDAA that will allow the National Guard to use unmanned aircraft systems like military drones to help detect wildfires, perform search and rescue efforts, and assist in other efforts to combat natural disasters and emergencies in California and throughout the nation.
  • Helped local disaster victims by securing key provisions for California in a $17.2 billion disaster-recovery bill (Public Law 116-20), including: extending the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) to cover crop losses stemming from 2018 and 2019 natural disasters, including California wine-grape growers with ‘smoke-tainted’ grapes from nearby fires, and to ensure that Paradise, CA and other communities impacted by wildfires qualify for grants, loans, and other assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program.
  • Worked with Habitat for Humanity to establish a new financing mechanism that led to the construction of a new facility for homeless veterans in Dixon.
  • Supported local farmers by imploring Secretary Perdue to approve his June 21 request to include California-grown walnuts in USDA’s Market Facilitation Program (MFP) and assist farmers impacted by the President’s self-inflicted trade war. Also, helped secure new retaliatory tariffs on canned peaches and mixed fruits from the European Union.
  • Hosted the 6th annual Women of the Year Awards.

2020

Below is an overview of the work Garamendi accomplished in 2020:

OVERVIEW:

  • 31 Bills Introduced: To date, you have introduced 29 bills and 2 resolutions, to date, exceeding your personal record of 14 bills/resolutions sponsored in the 112th Congress (2011-2012).
  • 3 Sponsored Enacted: To date, 3 bills you sponsored have beensigned into law.
  • 12 Cosponsored Enacted: To date, 12 bills you cosponsored have been signed into law.
  • 86 Cosponsored Passed: To date, 86 bills you cosponsored have passed the House.
  • 106 Committee Consideration: To date, 106 bills you cosponsored have been considered by a House committee.
  • 14 Amendments Enacted: To date, 14 amendments you sponsored or co-lead in Committee or on the House floor have been signed into law.
  • 21 Amendments Adopted: by House Committee or full House.

Outreach: Staff plans to share all these legislative accomplishments with district and other key stakeholders in your year-end press release (attached), post on social media, and upload to the accomplishments section of the website.

ENACTED INTO LAW:

H.R.5671, Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act

  • Status: March 13, 2020, signed into law (Public Law 116-125).

H.R.2617, Service Member’s Occupational and Environmental Transparency Health (OATH) Act

  • Status: December 20, 2019, most of your H.R.2617 was enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-9). The remainder is on track to be included in the FY2021 NDAA conference.

H.R.357, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act

  • Status: March 12, 2019, enacted as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9).

FLOOR CONSIDERATION:

H.R.4710, Pharmaceutical Independence Long-Term Readiness Reform Act

  • Status: July 21, 2020, your provision regarding the National Defense Strategy was passed by the House as part of the “William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021” (H.R.6395).

H.R.3193, Transportation Emergency Relief Funds Availability Act

  • Status: July 1, 2020, your H.R.3193 was included in the “Moving Forward Act” (H.R.2) passed by the House.

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION:

H.R.8217, WIFIA Improvement Act of 2020

  • Status:May 11, 2020, Section 3 of your H.R.8217 included in the “America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020” (S.3591) reported by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

H.R.7523, TIFIA for Airports Act

  • Status: January 8, 2020, Senator Duckworth’s (D-IL) bipartisan companion bill (S.563) included in the “America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019” (S.2302) reported by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

H.R.2838, Enhancing the Strength and Capacity of America’s Primary Evacuation routes (ESCAPE) Act

  • Status: January 8, 2020, Senator Markey’s (D-MA) companion bill (S.1546) included in the “America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019” (S.2302) reported by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

H.R.4374, Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing Disclosure Act

  • Status: November 20, 2019, passed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as part of the “Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act” (H.R.5119).

H.R.1764, To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to permitting terms, and for other purposes.

  • Status: October 29, 2019, passed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as part of the “Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2019” (H.R.1497).

H.R.830, Flood Insurance for Farmers Act

  • Status: June 14, 2019, passed by the Committee on Financial Services as part of the “National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019” (H.R.3167).

ASSUMED SPONSORSHIP:

H.R.2838, Enhancing the Strength and Capacity of America’s Primary Evacuation routes (ESCAPE) Act

  • Status: May 20, 2019, introduced thereby assuming sponsorship of bill from Rep. William R. Keating (D-MA) last Congress.

H.R.1435, Sites Reservoir Project Act

  • Status: February 28, 2019, introduced thereby assuming sponsorship of bill (Sacramento Valley Water Storage and Restoration Act) from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) last Congress.

H.R.1066, American Food for American Schools Act

  • Status: February 7, 2019, introduced thereby assuming sponsorship of bill from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) last Congress.

H.R.864, Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act

  • Status: January 30, 2019, introduced thereby assuming sponsorship of bill from Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU) last Congress.

H.R.830, Flood Insurance for Farmers Act

  • Status: January 29, 2019, introduced thereby assuming sponsorship of bill (“Flood and Agriculture Risk Management Cost Reduction Act of 2017”) from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) last Congress.

H.R.463, Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act

  • Status: September 20, 2019, granted unanimous consent on the House floor to assume sponsorship of bill from late Rep. Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC).

AMENDMENTS ENACTED INTO LAW (14 total):

S.1790, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

  • Status: December 20, 2019, President signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public law 116-92), including your below 11 amendments.
  • Garamendi #090: Key provisions from your “Service Member’s Occupational and Environmental Transparency Health (OATH) Act” (H.R.2617), requiring DOD to input any occupational/environmental health exposure into servicemembers’ records while deployed, so it is tracked throughout their career and into veteran status.
  • Garamendi #089: Requires a report that outlines near-term actions being taken to reduce DOD’s reliance on foreign-flagged vessels.
  • Garamendi #182: Ensures departing servicemembers and veterans can more easily credit their military service toward earning a Merchant Mariner Credential needed to sail US-flagged vessels.
  • Garamendi #351: Requires the DOD to continue to recognize civilian-issued Transportation Worker Identification Cards (TWIC) for workplace access to military maritime terminals and allows the DOD’s discretion in recognizing these cards for other installations.
  • Garamendi #184: Extends the authority to carry out the backup Global Positioning System (GPS) capability demonstration, which is a current expiring directive authority from the FY2018 NDAA, by an additional 18 months, and extends the report submission requirement by an additional 18 months. This will support the establishment of a reliable backup system if our nation’s GPS systems are disrupted or hacked.
  • Garamendi #155: Makes technical corrections to the portion of the bill authorizing Military Construction (MilCon) projects.
  • Garamendi #164: Requires a briefing on the DOD’s support to United States’ efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.
  • Garamendi #166: Required a report on the requirements for, and policies and procedures governing the domestic use of DOD manned and unmanned aerial systems to support States, territories, and other Federal agencies for disaster-response and other civilian missions.
  • Garamendi #156: Requires a report on the DOD’s efforts on corrosion prevention/control, and to determine whether a training center needs to be established. You offered this amendment at the request of Rep. Finkenauer (D-IA).
  • Kelly #217 (CJG cosponsored):Based off the “TRICARE Reserve Select Improvement Act” (H.R.613), introduced by Congressman Trent Kelly (R-MS) of which you were the original cosponsor. Ensures that those serving in the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserve can participate in the TRICARE Reserve Select health insurer program. Under current law, federal employees who also serve in the National Guard or Reserves are prohibited from participating in Tricare Reserve Select. To avoid the issue of mandatory spending increases in markup, this would take effect January 1, 2030.
  • Bacon #52 (CJG cosponsored):Requires a report with additional information on the “Air Force We Need” proposal (increase to 386 operational squadrons) to include infrastructure requirements, maintenance, supporting personnel requirements, depot production, industrial base support, etc.

H.R.3409, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019

  • Status: December 20, 2019, President signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public law 116-92), including your below 3 amendments from the “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019” (H.R.3409) included in the Senate NDAA’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) title.
  • Garamendi #65: Directs U.S. Department of Transportation and National Academy of Public Administration to complete an independent study on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Garamendi #66: Requires U.S. Department of Transportation to designate each State maritime academy/college as “center of excellence” for domestic maritime workforce training and education.
  • Garamendi #67: Implements any “Buy American” requirements for grant funds awarded under the Maritime Administration’s Small Shipyard Grant Program.

AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY COMMITTEE/HOUSE (21 total):

H.R.4447, Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act

  • Status: September 24, 2020, passed by the House including your below amendment.
  • Garamendi #30:Clarifies that offshore wind projects on the Outer Continental Shelf are indeed subject to jurisdiction of the U.S. Constitution and applicable federal labor and environmental laws, as offshore oil/gas rigs are currently. The House passed this language by voice vote in the 112th Congress (see H.R. 2360).

H.R.7575, Water Resources Development Act of 2020

  • Status: July 29, 2020, passed by the House, including your below report language offered as an amendment during the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s markup.
  • Garamendi #164:States that the Army Corps should fully implement the Small Business Act across all the Corps’ missions (navigation, aquatic ecosystem restoration, flood risk management) and requires a report to the T&I Committee on the number of small business contracts awarded by each geographic Division of the Corps for each mission. Your amendment, endorsed by the International Union of Operating Engineers, was included as directive report language adopted by the Committee and when the House passed H.R7575 under suspension on July 29, 2020.

H.R.2, Moving Forward Act

  • Status: July 1, 2020, passed by the House including your below 3 amendments adopted during the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s markup.
  • Garamendi #124: Expands “Buy American” requirements for federally funded highway projects to also include US-made and sourced building “construction materials.” This amendment is your “Made in America Act” (H.R.3459).
  • Garamendi #126: Lengthens the agreement terms allowing states selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) work including for “categorical exclusions” for any federally funded projects, on behalf of the Federal Highway Administration. The agreement terms in this amendment, from 5 to 10 years, were specifically requested by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which has a proven track record of completing this work.
  • Garamendi #128: Directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to finally implement a pilot program allowing local transportation agencies to use completed documents under the California Environmental Quality Act to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act: achieving so-called “CEQA-NEPA equivalency.” Congress authorized this pilot program in 2015 under the FAST Act (2015 Highway Bill), but it has never been implemented because USDOT has simply not finished the needed regulations.

H.R.6395, William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

  • Status: July 9, 2020, 12 amendments adopted by the Committee on Armed Services at markup and reported to full House.
  • Garamendi #466 (Seapower EB1): Requires certain auxiliary ship components be procured from a manufacturer in the National Technology and Industrial Base.
  • Garamendi #415 (Readiness EB1): Directive report language regarding an easement sought by Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority from the Air Force.
  • Garamendi #420 (Strategic Forces EB1): Directive report language requesting a briefing on the implementation of an operational GPS backup system required per the National Timing Resilience and Security Act.
  • Garamendi #315 (Chairman’s EB2): Requires information from the Burn Pit Registry to be integrated into electronic health records, to better document and track exposures to occupational environmental health hazards. The FY2020 conference report required the DOD to input occupational environmental health exposures into servicemembers’ records while deployed, following them throughout their career and into veteran status. However, integrating the Burn Pit Registry information into the electronic health records fell out during negotiations, so we offered it again this year since many veterans’ health records do not account for their exposures. This language would mandate that the DoD and VA retroactively update their records based on information contained in the Burn Pit Registry.
  • Garamendi #413 (Chairman’s EB2): Legislatively conveys the decommissioned Sharpe Army Depot to the Port of Stockton for continued public use.
  • Garamendi #638 (Chairman’s EB2): USFS Land Conveyance to Modoc County, offered on behalf of Rep. LaMalfa with waiver from the Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Garamendi #469 (Chairman’s EB2): Requires DOD to issue new guidance that provides streamlined approval process/expedited review of requests for the use of unmanned aerial surveillance by the National Guard for emergency operations, SAR, and other activities (i.e. wildfire detection).
  • Garamendi #125 (Chairman’s EB3): Requires that corrective and preventive maintenance for vessels already under contract be performed in the United States to the extent practicable, and defines corrective and preventive maintenance.
  • Norcross #73 (CJG cosponsored): Restricts any FY2021 funds from being used to strip DOD employees of their collective bargaining rights.
  • Norcross #63 (CJG cosponsored): Enhances Buy American law for major defense procurements.
  • Slotkin #12 (CJG cosponsored): Requires the DOD to publish results of drinking and groundwater PFAS testing conducted on military installations or former defense sites such that they are publicly available. Full text of Rep. Slotkin’s (D-MI) “Military PFAS Testing Disclosure Act” (H.R.7392), of which you were the original cosponsor.
  • Cheney #276 (CJG cosponsored): Expands a prohibition on acquiring certain sensitive materials from specific countries, effective three years after the date of enactment.

H.R.2500, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

Status: June 12, 2019, 2 amendments adopted by the Committee on Armed Services at markup.

  • Garamendi #166:Requires DOD to issue new policy guidance for the domestic use of unmanned aerial systems to bring into parity their use by the National Guard for emergency, search and rescue, and defense support to civil authorities, as all other Guard aircraft perform these activities under existing law. This amendment aimed to expedite the approval process allowing the National Guard to use unmanned aircraft systems to help track wildfires, perform search and rescue efforts, and assist in other efforts to combat emergencies in California and throughout the nation.
  • Garamendi #350:Directs the General Services Administration to establish a five-year program to test each of the three models of commercial e-commerce portals before awarding a final contract to a provider. The Senate bill contained no similar provision and the conference outcome replaced the requirement for a five-year test program with a requirement for cost estimates, and directed that the estimates be submitted within a year after the first contracts are awarded under the program.

H.R.3409, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019

  • Status: June 26, 2019, 2 amendments adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:
  • Garamendi #68: Authorizes the Coast Guard to extend the duration of Merchant Mariner credentials and licenses, certificates of registry, and other merchant mariners’ documents to: help reduce application backlog; align with expiration dates for transportation worker identification credential (TWIC card) issued by the Transportation Security Administration; and harmonize the expiration dates for Merchant Mariner credentials so that merchant Mariners get full 5-year term on their renewed credential.
  • Garamendi #69:Directs the U.S. Coast Guard and Transportation Security Administration to establish a pilot program allowing individuals to apply jointly for both a Merchant Mariner credential and transportation worker identification credential (TWIC card) with a single application.

CHAIRMAN OF ARMED SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE ON READINESS:

  • January 23, 2019:Selected as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness.
  • From 2013-2018, Congressman Garamendi previously served as the lead Democrat (Ranking Member) on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation from 2013-2018.
  • June 5, 2019: Under Chairman Garamendi’s leadership, the Subcommittee on Readiness’ mark of the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020” (H.R.2500) included several priorities:
  • Addresses problems with the management and oversight of military family housing
  • Directs the Department of Defense to plan for installation resiliency
  • Responds to drinking water contamination
  • Authorizes Funding Military Construction Projects, including at $107.1 million at Travis and $74.2 million at Beale Air Force Bases
  • Improves oversight, management, and accountability to improve military readiness
  • June 13, 2019: Chairman Garamendi and other Democratic members of the Committee on Armed Services voted to report the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020” (H.R.2500).
  • September 17, 2019: Chairman Garamendi appointed to bicameral conference committee for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020.
  • June 23, 2020: Under Chairman Garamendi’s leadership, the Subcommittee on Readiness’ mark of the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021” (H.R.6395) included several priorities:
  • Makes investments to support the training, sustainment, and quality of life for military personnel and their families
  • Continues efforts to address contamination associated with per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) around military installations
  • Continues efforts to address vulnerabilities that threaten the resiliency of military facilities and operations
  • Builds on the committee’s previous legislative and oversight activities to ensure that military personnel and their families live in quality housing and that the department and private housing partners are responsive to resident concerns
  • Supports DOD civilian workforce by strengthening the pay and benefits they receive for their service
  • Requires DOD to place an emphasis on the sustainment, logistics, and the infrastructure enterprise to enable military readiness and operations
  • July 1, 2020: Chairman Garamendi and members of the Committee on Armed Services voted to report the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021” (H.R.26395), including:
  • “Put Our Neighbors to Work Act” (H.R.6764), introduced with Readiness Vice-chairman Andy Kim (D-NJ)
  • Initiating a “National Maritime Logistics Fleet” Strategy:
  • Directs DoD to conduct a comprehensive assessment on the sustainment and logistics requirements to support the national military strategy (Section 351)
  • Limits the Navy’s purchasing of foreign-built ships until a sealift acquisition strategy is finalized (Section 1022)
  • Strengthens U.S. flagged vessel requirements for the movement of military cargo, bringing military’s cargo preference in line with existing cargo preference law for civilian agencies (Section 1024)
  • Authorizes National Defense Sealift funding to accelerate development of an acquisition strategy for sealift recapitalization that maximizes commercial designs (Section 1406)
  • Directs DoD to study the strategic and tactical maritime logistics force required to support maritime logistics and establish a bulk fuel distribution strategy that reduces DoD reliance on Foreign-flagged vessels (Section 2854)
  • Authorizes the establishment of a Tanker Security Program to mitigate the fuel tanker gap in DoD fuel distribution Section 3511—
  • November TBD, 2020: Chairman Garamendi appointed to bicameral conference committee for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021.

OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

  • October 22, 2020: Helped secure a $1.4 million grant from California’s Wildlife Conservation Board for the Camp-Pendola Fire and Habitat Restoration Project. The project will restore areas surrounding New Bullards Bar Reservoir. Congressman Garamendi submitted a letter of support for the project’s grant application to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
  • August 14, 2020: Secured inclusion of almonds in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Section 32 purchase program to support farmers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Garamendi led a letter cosigned by Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Ami Bera (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA).
  • August 14, 2020: Helped secure the inclusion of walnuts in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Section 32 purchase program to support farmers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Garamendi co-signed a letter led by Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA).
  • August 11, 2020: Secured the inclusion of walnuts in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to support farmers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Garamendi co-led a letter with Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Jim Costa (D-CA).
  • October 4, 2019: Secured new, punitive tariffs on canned peaches and mixed fruits exported from the European Union. One June 4, 2019, Garamendi sent a letter with Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, calling for tariffs on European Union canned peaches and canned fruit mixtures.
  • August 1, 2019:Secured inclusion of walnuts in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Facilitation Program to assist farmers impacted by the President’s self-inflicted trade war. On June 21, 2019, Congressman Garamendi led a letter cosigned by Congressmen T.J. Cox (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), and Jim Costa (D-CA) to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue calling for the inclusion of California-grown walnuts in the Trump Administration’s newest retaliatory tariff-relief package.
  • June 6, 2019:Secured key provisions for California in $17.2 billion disaster-relief package (Public Law 116-20), including:
  • Working with Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), extended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) to cover crop losses stemming from 2018 and 2019 natural disasters, including California wine-grape growers with ‘smoke-tainted’ grapes from nearby fires.
  • Working with Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), ensuring that Paradise, CA and other communities impacted by wildfires qualify for grants, loans, and other assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program. The City of Paradise would otherwise exceed the population threshold for the USDA Rural Development Program and not qualify, despite many residents leaving following the 2018 Camp Fire.

2022

Below is an overview of the work Garamendi accomplished in the 2021 .

(Updated January 2022)

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:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Garamendi-Burchett #7: Makes safety trainings for trailers on passenger vehicles eligible for grants under NHTSA’s Highway Safety Programs.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Garamendi #1148 (DRL): Creates a pilot program for oral rehydration solutions (MilPers En Bloc #2).
  • 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:
  • 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).
  • Garamendi-Davis # 838: Increases funding for cold weather capabilities.
  • 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).
  • 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: https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-garamendis-stateme…
  • 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-…