Economy and Jobs

"Geothermal energy is a crucial clean resource for creating jobs and securing our energy independence," said Congressman Garamendi. "It is in our economic and national security interests to make our energy in America, which is why it’s critical for the federal government to continue cultivating an environment for geothermal development."

As hundreds of thousands of service members return from Iraq and Afghanistan, they face the toughest job market in decades, and many have even faced morally repugnant job discrimination. The VOW to Hire Heroes Act provides veterans with the job opportunities that they have earned.

"The key here is how to get this technology out of the laboratory and into the business world. This brings us to my primary agenda: how do we Make It In America and rebuild our manufacturing base?" Congressman Garamendi said at the meeting. "All of you are involved in one way or another with this challenge. If we pull this off, America will make it."

If implemented on a broader scale, this new solar-powered system would create thousands of jobs, save millions in tax dollars, and help preserve our national parks and forests.

"While this bill is welcomed, we can do better in fulfilling our obligation to these brave men and women. Over 877,000 American veterans are unemployed, through no fault of their own. I call on my colleagues in Congress to do more. President Obama’s American Jobs Act offers companies smart incentives to hire veterans, and it deserves passage right now."

Garamendi continued, "Public policy is about choices -- and this is an easy one to make. Instead of lavishing billions more on billion-dollar oil companies, 'the Supercommittee' should focus on creating jobs and strengthening the middle class."

"The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is critical to sustaining the life of communities across California and is an ecosystem of national significance," said Congressman John Garamendi (CA-10). "I have worked for decades to protect this vital resource by building consensus and including all stakeholders. By contrast, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan has been an exclusionary closed-door operation on a recklessly short time table. The current Memorandum of Agreement must be rescinded and a new agreement forged, so that all interested parties have equal standing in the Bay Delta Conservation Plan process. I join my colleagues in calling for an open, inclusive and deliberative process that protects the ecology of the Delta for all Californians."

"After reviewing footage from last night’s Occupy Oakland protests, I urge both the police and protesters to stay calm and show restraint as protests continue. Some protestors were throwing rocks at police officers, and there are reports of isolated civilian on civilian assaults at Frank Ogawa Plaza. This is unacceptable. There is also disturbing video of a tear gas canister being launched into a small crowd of protestors trying to escort an injured veteran with a skull fracture away from the protests – a dangerous action."