Congressman Garamendi Joins Whip Hoyer, Leader Pelosi & House Democrats in Unveiling "Make It In America" Bills for Good U.S. Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) today joined House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and House Democrats in unveiling the “Make It In America” agenda for the 112th Congress, a plan to support job creation today and in the future by encouraging businesses to make products and innovate in the US and sell it to the world through strengthening our infrastructure and supporting investments in key areas like education and energy innovation. This effort builds on House Democrats' actions to create jobs and continue growing the economy and focuses on investing in key priorities while cutting wasteful spending.

Congressman Garamendi’s Highways, High-Speed Rail, Trains and Transit: Make it in America Act (H.R. 613) is part of the package unveiled today. The legislation would create American jobs by setting stronger standards for goods and equipment purchased with federal dollars for airports, highways, high-speed rail, trains and transit. The bill would strengthen Buy America requirements applicable to airports, highways, high-speed rail, trains and transit, increases domestic content provisions for airports and rolling stock from 60% to 100% over time and eliminates public interests and non-availability waivers.

"Today House Democrats clearly demonstrated to the American people that our top priorities are jobs, jobs, and jobs. We must bring back America’s manufacturing sector if we’re going to stay competitive in an increasingly competitive global economy," said Congressman Garamendi. "I’m honored that my legislation was included in this Make It In America package. My bill requires all transportation equipment purchased with federal dollars to be made in America. This commonsense approach helps make American companies competitive while creating good middle class jobs right here in America. It just makes sense."

The Make It In America agenda unveiled today encompasses a range of issues that all help to create an environment where manufacturers and small businesses can expand and create jobs here.

Since launching the Make It In America agenda in the previous Congress, President Obama has signed six “Make It In America” bills into law:

• U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act: Makes it cheaper for American companies to obtain the materials they need to manufacture goods.
• Protecting American Patents: Helps unclog the backlog of 1.2 million patent applications so innovative ideas can move to market more quickly.
• Preventing Outsourcing: Prevents the outsourcing of U.S. jobs by closing tax loopholes that encourage companies to send U.S. jobs overseas.
• Small Business Jobs Act: Expands much needed lending to millions of small businesses and offers tax incentives to help small businesses grow, hire, and fuel our economy, without adding a dime to the deficit.
• Energy Jobs and Training for Veterans Act: Provides grants for programs to provide on-the-job training, apprenticeship, real experience, and long-term employment in all energy fields.
• COMPETES Act: Establishes innovative technology federal loan guarantees for small- and medium-sized manufacturers and invests in science, technology, engineering, and math education.