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"When I served under President Clinton, we presided over a remarkable era of economic growth and job creation by paying for sound investments and important research. We turned huge deficits into a $5.6 trillion projected surplus," Congressman Garamendi said. "Unfortunately, President Bush decided we could have our cake, add layers of an unfunded war in Iraq and tax breaks for the rich, and eat it too."

"I believe that everyone should retire with dignity, and I am very alarmed by the proposal put forth by the Republican members of the House Budget Committee, who apparently want to throw millions of seniors into the shark tank that created the near collapse of our economy. It’s important that Congress repudiate this dangerous plan immediately. Millions of seniors depend on Social Security and Medicare to provide them with their retirement and health care needs, and this proposal amounts to an astounding cut in health benefits and fiscal security. Our seniors are too important to expose to the rollercoaster fluctuations of Wall Street."

"America is on a path to recovery, but further efforts to increase employment are needed," said Congressman Garamendi, who as California’s first elected Insurance Commissioner regulated the largest financial sector in America. "The big banks continue to deny loans to small businesses, and it’s time for a change."

"Our country is suffering from a failed policy. 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' has robbed our national defense of over 13,000 vital troops and armed service personnel, including scores of Arabic translators. To cover the unnecessary costs of recruitment and retraining, taxpayers have been charged up to half a billion dollars because of DADT. At a time when America is fighting wars on two fronts and facing financial uncertainty, it is painfully clear that we must work swiftly to end DADT. All Americans, gay or straight, should be able to proudly serve our country."