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"The March jobs report is encouraging. More Americans were hired last month than in any month over the past three years. While we are not out of the wilderness yet, our economic footing is secure and we are on our way to a bright, prosperous day. But our work is not done. We must continue to advance policies that will grow and strengthen the middle-class through long-term job creation and moving more people out of poverty."

"For more than four decades, a large majority of local, state, and federal California officials have presented a near-united front against new offshore oil drilling, and it is this impressive show of force, along with the federal moratoriums, that has protected our coast for so long," Garamendi added. "If we are going to guarantee that our grandchildren inherit the same beautiful coast that has helped draw so many Californians to call our state home, we cannot allow any cracks to form in our resolute opposition to new offshore oil drilling."

"Republican Senators have held up 77 nominees critical to the functioning of government. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have no interest in working with Democrats to help the American people, and if they refuse to give the President’s nominees an up-or-down vote, what other choice did he have? In the case of Craig Becker’s appointment to the National Labor Relations Board, there are hundreds of complaints left unresolved at the NLRB because Republican obstructionism has denied the board a quorum. At some point, in this toxic partisan environment, if Democrats are going to accomplish anything, we have to go it alone. I hope that Republicans will decide to work with us again in the future."

"Once again, Republican Senators are playing games with the lives of people struggling in this economy," Congressman Garamendi said. "How many rent checks will be undelivered, how many serious medical ailments will be untreated, because Senator Coburn and his GOP colleagues in the Senate prefer theatre over doing their jobs? When we return to Congress after the two-week district work period, this delay in needed unemployment insurance and health benefits must not stand, and the representatives actually interested in helping the American people will do all we can to recoup lost payments."

"This year, adults with preexisting conditions will be able to enroll in a high risk pool to make sure they finally have basic health care protections in preparation for full integration into our insurance system. This year, discrimination against children with preexisting conditions will end. This year, insurance companies will not be able to kick people off of their insurance because they are sick. This year, seniors stuck in the Medicare Part D donut hole will receive a $250 rebate and next year will see their prescription drug costs in the donut hole reduced by 50 percent. This year, small businesses will receive up to a 35 percent tax credit to help pay for health coverage for their employees. This year, new insurance plans will be required to offer free preventative care. This year, young adults up to the age of 26 will be allowed to stay on their parents’ health plan. This year, early retirees aged 55-64 will see additional relief to help them afford health coverage."