Garamendi Supports Northern California Jobs on House Floor

Offers Make It In America Amendment to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing of Hydropower projects

Congressman Garamendi offers an amendment to strengthen American manufacturing. Watch the video above.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), offered an amendment on the House Floor to ensure that small hydroelectric projects built on government facilities use American built systems and create American jobs. At least three companies in the U.S. manufacture the turbines needed for hydropower, and they can be purchased at common hardware stores like Home Depot. For example, Natel Energy, located just outside Garamendi’s district in Alameda County, produces this technology.

House Republicans rejected the common sense "Make It In America" amendment by a vote of 237-182, with all but one Republican voting against it. The underlying legislation, H.R. 2842, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development Act of 2011 passed the House.

"This is about setting smart policy, so that this great nation can once again become the great manufacturing center of the world," said Congressman Garamendi. "Since the days when President George Washington asked Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton to develop an industrial policy, we have known that a robust manufacturing sector is essential to our economic vitality. This holds true today. We need to Make It In America again, so that struggling middle class and lower income families can make it – so we all have a fair shot at the American Dream."

A video of his remarks are available above.