Economy and Jobs

The Pope addresses his encyclical to ‘every person living on this planet,’ because climate change affects us all and everyone has an obligation to help address this crisis. The good news is that we can rise to this challenge through innovation, advocacy, and smart public policy. We are morally compelled to act.

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) voted no for a second time on so-called ‘Fast Track’ Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which was inserted into an unrelated bill on public safety benefits. TPA sets the stage for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other future trade bills by granting six years of authority for a President to negotiate trade deals and present them to Congress for an ‘up-or-down vote’ – all without any meaningful input from the people’s elected representatives in Congress.

"I voted ‘no’, because I will not yield my obligation to advocate on behalf of the needs of my constituents," Congressman Garamendi said.

“The Constitution is clear: Congress has the authority to negotiate and ratify trade agreements. Trade Promotion Authority would be an abdication of our responsibilities, and I call on my House colleagues to vote no. So-called fast track would allow for much easier passage of dangerous free trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would cost thousands of American middle-class jobs."

This grant gives our communities the tools needed to clean abandoned mines, improve local water quality, protect public health, and support local businesses. It will also help us enjoy the great outdoors and strengthen Northern California’s tourism industry.

"The GROW AMERICA Act is a smart investment in job-creation, transportation safety, business growth, and environmental protection. We need this type of program in order to rebuild and renew our crumbling infrastructure, to provide economic certainty, and to make the U.S. more competitive in a global marketplace."

America’s Coast Guard and Merchant Marine play an indispensible role in our national security and economic prosperity. This bipartisan legislation supports their work and I applaud its passage.

“Americans working in good faith to repay their student loans deserve access to the same lower interest rates as current students. A college education should be an investment into the future, not a ball-and-chain from the past. It’s time for Congress to vote on the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act."