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"The most important responsibilities of Congress are to make sure our nation is safe and secure and to make sure the brave men and women who protect us have all they need to prosper during and after their service," explained Congressman Garamendi, whose district includes Travis Air Force Base. "Today’s vote sends to the President’s desk important legislation that will drastically improve the health services available to military personnel, veterans, and their families."

"It’s about time. Millions of Americans are still struggling to find a job and need the emergency relief provided by unemployment insurance. Unfortunately, Republicans in the Senate proved once again that they aren’t much interested in helping the people they are supposed to serve. Until the unemployment rate drops substantially, we must not abandon the fight for job creation, and we must maintain the added protections found in the Recovery Act and other pro-growth bills. That’s what my constituents and the American people deserve and expect."

"Highway 4 is the only major east-west transportation link joining the communities of Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley and Brentwood with central Contra Costa County and the Greater Bay Area, and it’s one of the most heavily used commercial and commuter highways in Northern California," Congressman Garamendi said. "This project, a top priority of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, is coordinated with a Bay Area Rapid Transit extension and will extend the present four lanes express lane into a six lane freeway – reducing a very significant daily traffic jam."

"Today is tax day, but for most working Americans, we might as well call it tax rebate day," Garamendi added. "President Obama and Congressional Democrats are responsible for some of the most significant middle class tax cuts in U.S. history. We were handed a broken economy and have made great strides in fixing it, but we cannot rest on our laurels. The unemployment rate is still unacceptably high, and that is why we must pass more jobs-producing bills."

"President Obama and Congressional Democrats have supported a number of bills in the past two years that have provided significant tax relief for working Americans and small businesses," Congressman Garamendi said. "The average American family is able to claim 10 percent more this year than last on their income taxes, and this will have a ripple effect throughout our economy. More money in the hands of the people most likely to spend it means more debts will be repaid, more savings will be created, and more local businesses will see increased profits."

"Jobs, jobs, jobs. This is my biggest responsibility as a Congressman," said Congressman Garamendi. "Our job resources fair brought hundreds of area residents face-to-face with hiring employers and agencies ready to help."