Economy and Jobs

Make no mistake, if this plan ever becomes law, it will mark Medicare's death by a thousand coupons. Seniors remaining with traditional Medicare will pay more as private insurers siphon off the healthiest and youngest among them. Seniors purchasing private insurance will also shoulder more of the cost of medical care as the value of their insurance coupon declines over time.

"A year ago, Republicans in Congress voted repeatedly to end Medicare and replace it with an underfunded coupon system. This year House Republicans are once again proposing to end the Medicare guarantee and to shift more costs to seniors struggling to make ends meet. The Congressional Republicans’ proposal will undermine Medicare and cost seniors more, and it maintains Big Oil subsidies and increases tax giveaways for millionaires and billionaires. This is just wrong, and the deficit will actually grow."

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), offered an amendment on the House Floor to ensure that small hydroelectric projects built on government facilities use American built systems and create American jobs. At least three companies in the U.S. manufacture the turbines needed for hydropower, and they can be purchased at common hardware stores like Home Depot. For example, Natel Energy, located just outside Garamendi’s district in Alameda County, produces this technology.

"Air Mobility - the ability to rapidly transport assets around the world - plays a crucial role in America's 21st century national defense. I have seen this vital mission firsthand at Travis Air Force Base, the 'Gateway to the Pacific,' which is home to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the largest air mobility organization in the Air Force."

"In my view, there is a readily available solution to afford ongoing clean energy tax credits. We can generate $5 billion a year by ending our wasteful subsidies of the oil industry. That subsidy should be moved to renewable energy," said Congressman Garamendi.

"HR 1837 turns upside down 150 years of California water law and the allocation of water. The bill removes all environmental protections for the Delta and Central Valley rivers while allowing destructive exports of water from the Delta to San Joaquin Valley water districts. However, one section of the bill, Title 4, has merit in that it affirms existing water rights and area of origin rights in Northern California. Unfortunately, this section was combined with too much bad policy for the bill to receive my support."

"Many farmers in my Delta community have personally asked me to help fix this problem," said Congressman John Garamendi. "I am proud to take their voice to Washington, so American farmers have the freedom to grow their businesses and grow the products this country needs."

“Col. Davis's candid testimony reinforced my own conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, only the prospect of continued shedding of American blood in a war that is not ours to fight”