Economy and Jobs

Garamendi led a California Delegation letter to the House Agriculture Committee outlining a number of priorities for California.

"The wind energy industry in this country is about to come to a screeching halt," said Congressman Garamendi. "Instead of wasting billions padding the pockets of Big Oil, we should invest in the clean energy industries of the future, so once again we can Make It In America."

"This is good news for California and for young children and their families. By focusing on children in disadvantaged households, this service will help narrow the achievement gap that exists between wealthy and lower income families."

"We’re at the center of something big here. When they write the history on American manufacturing’s great rebound, the i-GATE facility will be a prominent part of the story," Congressman Garamendi said. "Collaboration between the national labs, government, universities, and the private sector means regional innovation, smart investments, and jobs, jobs, jobs."

The Congressman voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would expand U.S. involvement in the war in Afghanistan, permit indefinite detention on American soil, and commit to building a multi-billion dollar missile program on the East Coast that the Pentagon says is unneeded and many experts say would not work. Throughout the NDAA process, Congressman Garamendi advocated for vital institutions in Northern California, including Travis and Beale Air Force Bases, the national labs in Livermore, research universities, and high-tech businesses.

The NDAA amendment is a small but important step in assessing what challenges face the manufacturing sector and its ability to produce three-dimensional integrated circuits and advanced chips. The Manufacturing Extension Program amendment invests additional funds in a cost-effective, job creating program.

"As a rancher and a pear farmer, I know the unique challenges that California's agriculture community faces," said Garamendi. "The Farm Bill offers the opportunity for California's farm businesses to overcome these hurdles through advanced research, pest management, and marketing assistance programs. The bill can also connect disadvantaged families, especially children, with the food they need to lead healthy, productive lives. I join my colleagues in urging the Committee to pass a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that helps America’s families and farmers to Make It In America and grow it in America."

"Naysayers will tell you that we can’t Make It In America, but that’s clearly not the case. There are plenty of hardworking Americans ready, willing, and able to do this work, and the facilities exist to make these rail cars here," added Garamendi. "Present federal law is insufficient. We need a change in federal policy to enable transportation agencies to weight Buy America standards greater in their procurement processes, keeping our tax dollars circulating in our economy and putting our neighbors to work rebuilding America’s crumbling transportation infrastructure."