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Congressman Garamendi Votes Against Reckless Republican Proposal that Would Destroy 800,000 Jobs and Devastate Critical Public Services

February 19, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – Early morning Saturday, House Republicans voted for a reckless spending plan that would destroy 800,000 jobs and devastate vital services. Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) joined every Democrat and three Republicans in voting against this attack on middle- and working-class Americans, including the 14 million Americans still looking for jobs. The bill passed by a 235-189 vote.

"We need to Make It In America to create good American jobs. Instead, the House Republican spending bill, H.R. 1, makes reckless cuts to education, transportation, research, public safety, women's health services, and national security," said Congressman Garamendi. "I urge the President and Senate to reject this dangerous proposal, and I urge every member of Congress to serve the people they represent. We should be creating jobs and fixing our economy, but the House Republican spending bill destroys at least 800,000 jobs."

During debate on the Republican Continuing Resolution and amendments to the bill, Congressman Garamendi went on the House floor multiple times standing up for Americans who want job creation and vital public services. Here is one example: https://www.youtube.com/embed/2reh7pXwb3M

If House Republicans get their way, thousands of people in the 10th Congressional District and Californians statewide will be harmed:

  • 800,000 jobs nationwide would be destroyed, including thousands of teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and doctors;
  • Community clinics would lose $1 billion in federal assistance, likely shuttering the planned La Clinica clinic in Oakley;
  • Thousands of national lab researchers and staff, including hundreds and possibly thousands at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of California, would lose their jobs and important cutting edge research would be compromised;
  • The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Joaquin River would be threatened, and poorly worded language in the bill could jeopardize the water supply for the entire state, putting thousands of jobs at risk;
  • 24,000 children statewide would be kicked off of Head Start; and
  • California would lose more than $700 million in Pell Grants, making a college education less attainable for thousands of working class children.