In the News

California's newest member of Congress may be a freshman on Capitol Hill, but he's a veteran with more years of public service than most of his colleagues.

"(Obama) faces a difficult decision on a war he inherited, and I know his heart is in the right place," said Rep. John Garamendi. "But my first priority has to be here at home and creating jobs. Our national security depends upon the strength of our economy and we have spent $1 trillion on both of these wars (Iraq and Afghanistan). I remain unconvinced that more troops will solve the problem."

Most everyone in Washington has an opinion on President Obama's decision to escalate for 18 months in Afghanistan. Here are some intersting ones. ... Rep.

The Democratic congressional delegation loves President Barack Obama but they don't love his proposal to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. ... None of the Bay Area Democrats in Congress I have heard from since the speech support a troop surge.

The growing consensus among California Democrats [is] that the current strategy in Afghanistan ... is neither good policy nor good politics. ... member of Congress John Garamendi also disagrees with the escalation.

Rep. John Garamendi sounded the theme of interlinking research and development with job creation in a town hall meeting in Livermore.

Congress is scheduled to reauthorize its national transportation spending blueprint in the next year. The legislation typically contains formulas that spell out the return of gas tax dollars to states. Committee members have considerable influence over its contents as well as earmarks for specific projects.

It looks like Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, will be joining the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.