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"By opening up the credit market to small businesses, this bill provides America's entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed," said Congressman Garamendi, a small business owner. "Although three million Americans have jobs because of the policies of President Obama and this Democratic-led Congress, we face a long road ahead. Expanded access to capital bolsters our economic recovery and helps ward off a double-dip recession."

"Once again, we’re seeing insurance companies put profits over people. They’d prefer to make a profit rather than offer insurance to our kids," Congressman Garamendi said. "We can handle this the easy way or the hard way. Either they back down from their latest outrageous stunt – discriminating against children for a few extra pennies of profit – or they can face the outrage of Congress, parents, and grandparents."

For example, no longer will insurance companies be able to cut off your insurance just because you are sick, or set annual or lifetime caps on your coverage, or deny coverage to children with so-called pre-existing conditions.

"If you own a business in this country, and you’ve been thinking about broadband installation, machine tools, or a new production line, with this legislation, now’s the time," Congressman Garamendi said. "By allowing corporations to write-off 100 percent of all capital investments through 2011, we can create a chain reaction of job creation. Businesses with write-offs can expand and hire new workers by purchasing equipment made by businesses that can expand and hire new workers – a perfect synergy for economic growth."

"The most high risk pipeline in the Bay Area runs through my district – from Livermore to Sunol," added Garamendi, California’s former Lieutenant Governor and State Insurance Commissioner. "People I represent are among the most vulnerable in the nation, yet according to a recent newspaper report, city officials were not informed. I have many questions for PG&E and the state and federal regulators. I want answers."

"On 9/11, we lost thousands of men and women across ethnicities, national origins, religious perspectives, and ideologies. Our country includes the rich tapestry of the world, and our success has always depended on our willingness to embrace everyone who is willing to work hard and play by the rules."

"We’ve seen too many families lose their homes and too many communities lose their character because of the foreclosure crisis. Abandoned homes can expose our neighborhoods to blight, crime, and hopelessness," said Congressman John Garamendi. "When this Congress passed tough Wall Street reform this year, we insisted that the final package include significant assistance for homeowners and local communities. Today more than $6 million of that promise is being delivered to residents in Contra Costa and Solano counties."