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"It doesn’t matter which side of the aisle you are on, civil liberties are essential to everyone. As authors of this great nation’s laws, Congress must tread carefully when our fundamental, constitutional rights are at stake," Congressman Garamendi explained in written testimony submitted to the committee. "When writing laws that will affect individual liberties, we must speak clearly and with an unwavering voice – there is no room for ambiguity or uncertainty."

"As a rancher and a pear farmer, I know the unique challenges that California's agriculture community faces," said Garamendi. "The Farm Bill offers the opportunity for California's farm businesses to overcome these hurdles through advanced research, pest management, and marketing assistance programs. The bill can also connect disadvantaged families, especially children, with the food they need to lead healthy, productive lives. I join my colleagues in urging the Committee to pass a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that helps America’s families and farmers to Make It In America and grow it in America."

"The idea that everyone detained deserves access to a lawyer and a fair judicial process is an American value that good citizens of all backgrounds should be able to get behind," Congressman Garamendi said. "Some legal experts have expressed concern that last year’s NDAA could be interpreted to authorize indefinite detention. The Smith-Amash-Berman-Garamendi amendment simply clarifies what’s already engrained in the U.S. Constitution: we all deserve our day in court."

"Naysayers will tell you that we can’t Make It In America, but that’s clearly not the case. There are plenty of hardworking Americans ready, willing, and able to do this work, and the facilities exist to make these rail cars here," added Garamendi. "Present federal law is insufficient. We need a change in federal policy to enable transportation agencies to weight Buy America standards greater in their procurement processes, keeping our tax dollars circulating in our economy and putting our neighbors to work rebuilding America’s crumbling transportation infrastructure."

"While including some good provisions, overall this bill takes us in the wrong direction," said Congressman Garamendi. "In order to protect funding for crucial defense programs and investments in our economic prosperity, we have to be a responsible guardian of public funds. Cut where we can to protect what we need. Instead, this bill would establish an unending escalated commitment in Afghanistan, wasting billions of dollars propping up a corrupt Karzai government, and it would create new Pentagon projects that defense officials say are wasteful."

"Access to health care is a fundamental right that empowers us to live happy, healthy lives and strengthens our community," said Congressman Garamendi, who served as California's Insurance Commissioner for eight years. "Community clinics provide health services - ranging from prenatal care to chronic disease management and mental health care - that make this right a reality."

"These projects bring us one step closer to saving the Delta while meeting the needs of all California cities, farmers, and fishermen."

I would like to address three policies that would create economic opportunity in my district as well as nationwide: extending the Federal Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit; extending conservation easement incentives; and extending 100 percent bonus depreciation for capital investments that are made in America.