Garamendi Discusses Efforts for Solano Businesses, Healthcare, and First Responders During Solano County Work Day
SOLANO COUNTY, CA—Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) hosted a District Work Day in Solano County where he met with first responders, healthcare providers, and local business leaders to discuss the work he's doing in Congress to support them and their contributions to the community.
First, Garamendi met with a group of Solano County police and fire chiefs to discuss their use of funding for first responders that was included in the American Rescue Plan that Garamendi helped enact into law this year. They also discussed the additional support for first responders that's included in the "Build Back Better Act" that Garamendi helped pass in the U.S. House of Representatives on November 19th.
Next, Garamendi joined John Vazquez, Chair of Solano County Board of Supervisors, and Ruth Forney, Chair of the Board of Governors of Solano County Family Health Services, for a tour of a Solano County Family Health Services facility. During the tour, they discussed the $32 million in funding Garamendi secured for centers in his Congressional District as part of the American Rescue Plan, as well as the $10 billion that's included in the "Build Back Better Act" to help health centers update their facilities and improve their quality of care.
Finally, Garamendi met with two Solano County businesses—Jelly Belly and Made and Modern—to discuss their contributions to the local economy and the efforts Garamendi is leading in Congress to address supply chain issues and support local businesses and consumers.
"It was a pleasure to host a productive District Work Day in Solano County," Garamendi said. "I started the day off by meeting with Solano County police and fire chiefs. Solano's first responders provide an invaluable service to the community, and I work every day to support them through my work in Congress. Today, I received an update on how local firefighting and police departments have used the $86 million I secured for Solano County through the American Rescue Plan. This funding has helped emergency services throughout Solano County remain strong despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We also discussed the $798 million in FEMA grants for fire departments and $2.5 billion for community-oriented policing service grants I voted for this month as part of the "Build Back Better Act." I look forward to this critically important bill passing the Senate and becoming law so its much-deserved support can be in the hands of Solano County's first responders," Garamendi continued.
Garamendi Meets with First Responders in Solano County
"After meeting with Solano County first responders, I had the pleasure of touring a Solano County Family Health Services facility with Supervisor John Vasquez and Chair Ruth Forney. We discussed the $32 million I secured for health centers in my Congressional District as part of the American Rescue Plan. This has helped local health centers stay afloat during the pandemic and administer lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines to residents for free. We also discussed the support the American Rescue Plan includes to lower monthly healthcare premiums by an average of $50 per person and empower nearly 15 million Americans to sign up for affordable healthcare. In Congress, I've worked to build upon this work by voting to pass the "Build Back Better Act," which includes an additional $10 billion to help health centers upgrade facilities and equipment and provide good-quality care to the communities they serve," Garamendi continued.
Garamendi Tours a Solano County Family Health Services Facility
"I ended the day by meeting with Made and Modern and Jelly Belly—two Solano County businesses that provide good-paying jobs with excellent benefits," Garamendi continued. "In Congress, I'm a leading advocate for ‘Make it in America' and ‘Buy America' policies that support American manufacturers and workers. I frequently host Manufacturing Advisory Roundtables with Solano County manufacturers to share ideas and information that support the local job-creating manufacturing community. Jelly Belly and Made and Modern are two Solano County ‘Make it in America' success stories. Their products are made in Solano County with local workers and provide a vital economic stimulus to the region. Today, we discussed their work and my recent efforts to support American businesses through my ‘Ocean Shipping Reform Act.' This bill will help address the ongoing issues with America's supply chain and ensure American businesses receive the supplies they need at an affordable price. The legislation will also support American exporters and address the ongoing trade imbalances the United States has with other nations. The legislation is set to pass the U.S. House of Representatives next week, and I will work tirelessly to ensure it becomes law to support local businesses like Made and Modern and Jelly Belly.
Garamendi Meets with Made and Modern and Jelly Belly
"It is an honor to represent Solano County in Congress," Garamendi continued. "As your Representative, I will always work to find innovative solutions to the issues we face, and I look forward to continuing this critically important work for the Solano County community in the years ahead," Garamendi concluded.