Economy and Jobs

"NUMMI will rise again. Until that day, we must take care of the thousands of workers who lost their jobs when this plant shut down," Congressman Garamendi said. "I commend President Obama and Secretary Solis for their leadership on behalf of California workers."

On Friday, Congressman John Garamendi (Walnut Creek, CA), voted for H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, and H.R. 4213, the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act. The COMPETES Act renews important investments in scientific research, while the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act extends tax relief, funds government programs, extends essential benefits, and closes tax loopholes.

"In California, it is calculated that the coast environment of California provides the state $22 billion in annual economic activity and employs 369,000 people. In Oregon it’s over $1 billion annually and some 17,000 are employed. In Washington, 150,000 people and over $8 billion. We value that economic activity as much as we value the precious coastline, the fishing, and the other opportunities it presents to us."

"The National Defense Authorization Act takes needed steps to protect and assist our men and women in uniform," said Representative Garamendi. "This bill includes a 1.9 percent pay raise for our troops, extends TRICARE health coverage to the children of military families up to the age of 26, provides necessary armor and protective vehicles to troops in combat, adds significant safeguards to protect female soldiers from sexual assault, modernizes DOD schools, and increases the maximum amount of hostile fire and imminent danger pay available to our soldiers."

"There are some priorities that are too important to be derailed by partisan machinations, our nation’s investments in science research and education among them," said Congressman Garamendi. "When the COMPETES Authorization Act was passed with broad bipartisan support and signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007, Congress appropriately demonstrated that our global competitiveness remains an important priority. A scant three years later, with COMPETES coming up for reauthorization, Republicans in the House are now demonstrating that they’d rather score cheap partisan 'victories' than demonstrate real leadership."

"I want to take this opportunity to thank Senators Boxer, Cantwell, Feinstein, Merkley, Murray, and Wyden for standing up for the Pacific Coast. Now that the House and Senate have identical bills to stop all new drilling from platforms in federal waters on the West Coast, our chances of success have significantly increased."

"Major scientific breakthroughs occur every year at the Livermore labs, and it’s important that we harness these advances to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and improve our way of life," said Congressman Garamendi. “My bill creates a technology transfer center at the Lawrence Livermore and Sandia labs, making it easier for private sector companies and universities to convert ideas into employment engines."