John In The News
Garamendi urges Senate to pass home lending reform
KGO ABC 7 | Ken Miguel | July 6, 2010Few places in the country have been harder hit by the housing crisis than western Contra Costa County. That is where Congressman John Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, was Tuesday, urging the Senate to pass comprehensive home lending reform.
Elected officials and advocates in Antioch to tout bill meant to aid homeowners
Contra Costa Times | Paul Burgarino | July 6, 2010Hess and his wife, Carmela, spoke at a news conference Tuesday held by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, Antioch leaders and local housing advocates to tout a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives aimed in part at helping struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure.
162 House Votes for an Exit Strategy From Afghanistan
The Nation | John Nichols | July 2, 2010"We’ve been in Afghanistan for nine years, making it the longest war in our nation’s history, and it’s come at a tremendous cost. We’ve tragically lost more than 1,100 American lives and spent close to $300 billion. We’ve also been in Iraq for seven years, where we’ve lost more than 4,400 American lives and spent more than $700 billion," explained Congressman John Garamendi.
Labor Secretary: $19 million for NUMMI workers
San Jose Mercury News | George Avalos | June 7, 2010A congressman from the East Bay, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said it's possible the NUMMI factory could be used for more than electric vehicles. After all, the auto factory measures about 5.4 million square feet.
Lawmakers eager to raise limit on spill damage
San Francisco Chronicle | Jennifer A. Dlouhy | May 6, 2010Garamendi said the Deepwater Horizon disaster should mark "a turning point in our national discussion on new offshore drilling."
Gulf oil spill: More calls for moratorium on offshore drilling
Los Angeles Times | http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/05/gulf-oil-spill-more-calls-for-moratorium-on-offshore-drilling.html | May 5, 2010"Enough is enough," Rep. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek) declared in a letter to House colleagues seeking support for a bill introduced Wednesday to permanently ban new energy exploration off California, Oregon and Washington state.
Pleasant Hill Job Fair Sponsored By Rep. Garamendi
Bay City News | | April 10, 2010More than 40 employers and organizations will be participating in a free job resource fair Saturday at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, according to U.S. Rep. John Garamendi.
Bay Area Legislators Celebrate Health Care Vote
CBS 5 | | March 22, 2010A bill reforming America's health care system, what one Bay Area congressman said was "one of the most important bills in the past 40 years," was approved tonight by the U.S. House of Representatives.
As Anthem Blue Cross sends profits to WellPoint, it plans hefty rate hikes for Californians
Los Angeles Times | Lisa Girion | February 22, 2010"The extraordinary greed of Anthem/WellPoint Blue Cross is a clear indication that this company has put profit before people," said Garamendi, who as California insurance commissioner presided over the merger. "People need to be able to get out of the shark pool with a public-option lifeboat."
Garamendi tours Solano County clean energy plant
Vacaville Reporter | Kimberly Fu | February 21, 2010A blue sky late last week perfectly backlit a series of monolithic wind turbines in the Montezuma Hills, their unmoving blades casting long shadows that shaded slumbering cattle. The 26-story turbines, part of Solano's Shiloh II Wind Project, and the clean energy they produce, were the impetus for an hours-long visit Thursday by Congressman John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, who serves on the House Science and Technology Committee.
Get to know Rep. John Garamendi
Politico | Anne Schroeder Mullins | February 16, 2010We have seen the defunding of schools, transportation infrastructure, research capabilities, and everything else that helps grow an economy. California's constitution should be re-examined. I believe that California will reach its full potential when majority rule is restored.
Blue Cross Backs Off, But Only A Bit
California Progress Report | Anthony Wright | February 14, 2010As pointed out in Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times, the only real authority the Commissioner has is on an related issue, which is whether Anthem Blue Cross was abiding by a 70% "medical loss ratio" requirement--whether 70% of premium dollars were going to patient care, rather than administration and profit. (That requirement was increased from 50% to 70% by former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi in his last year before becoming Lt. Governor. Federal health reform would increase that requirement to around 85%.)
Trust helping to preserve ranchlands -- and wildlife
| Dennis Cuff | February 13, 2010Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, a rancher and former California lieutenant governor, donated a conservation easement on his Calaveras County land to the rangeland trust. ... "What do you do?" he said. "The land will be worth a lot of money, but do you keep it in ranching? ... Money isn't everything."
Schwarzenegger's Jobs Record 'As Bad as His B Movies'
AFL-CIO Now Blog | Tula Connell | February 12, 2010Rep. John Garamendi told the crowd of more than 700 that representatives in Congress are committed to delivering on jobs right away, providing relief to the millions in California and around the country who are without work during the Great Recession of the past two years. Garamendi said Congress is working hard to jump-start ready-to-go infrastructure projects that will put people to work while repairing our crumbling roads, bridges and schools.
States race to pre-empt health reform
Politico | Patrick O'Connor | February 9, 2010The state’s former lieutenant governor, Democratic Rep. John Garamendi, said the state Senate vote "keeps the issue moving and the debate alive" by motivating the base to confront the issue of the uninsured.
Insurer may have violated law, report reveals
San Francisco Chronicle | Carla Marinucci | February 8, 2010Former state insurance commissioner John Garamendi, now a congressman, said that starting in 2002 his office "received complaints about Mercury's practices - and those complaints rose to the level where we felt it was necessary to investigate."
Garamendi vows to play D.C. money game for his California district
| | February 7, 2010"No one will outfight John Garamendi in advocating for the needs and interests of the people he represents," said Andy Stone, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Gates looks to ease DADT discharges while repeal is studied
Bay Area Reporter | Chuck Colbert | February 4, 2010"'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," Garamendi said in a statement. "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."
Garamendi to hold telephone town hall meeting
Bay City News | | February 3, 2010Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, is inviting 30,000 of his constituents to take part in his first telephone town hall meeting tonight. ... [He] is holding the telephone town hall tonight to reach out to his district's less densely populated areas.
Rep. Garamendi: ‘Unending negotiations’ damaged health care bill
Raw Story | Sahil Kapur | February 3, 2010A champion of the public option, Garamendi alleged that the provision was ultimately removed to placate opponents of reform, leaving us with a compromised piece of legislation. He also said delays have hurt its very chances for survival.
Pols, Media, Celebrate High Speed Rail Grant for California
Streetsblog | Elana Schor | January 29, 2010Meanwhile, Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) -- who joined Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) to craft California's first high-speed rail legislation 20 years ago -- called the funding announcement "a great first step for a program that I will continue to fight hard for in Congress in the months and years ahead."
FTC Study Bill Heads Toward Showdown
National Underwriter | Arthur Postal | January 28, 2010The bill also would keep the McCarran-Ferguson Act antitrust exemption from applying to health insurers and medical malpractice insurers. ... The chief supporters of the latest bill are Rep. Pete DeFazio, Ore.., and Rep. Louise Slaughter, N.Y. Another supporter is Rep. John Garamendi, Calif., a new member of Congress and former state insurance commissioner.
Proposals Clash on States’ Role in Health Plans
Lakeland Ledger | Reed Abelson | January 14, 2010"The role of the federal government is to put in place a national marketplace," said one of the speakers, Representative John Garamendi of California and a former state insurance commissioner. He says that some states simply do not have the money or inclination to enforce the new laws.
San Luis Obispo New Times | Colin Rigley | January 14, 2010Former Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who held one of three seats on the Lands Commission and opposed the PXP project, has since moved on to a congressional seat. "My position on the PXP deal remains unchanged," Garamendi said in a statement. "Any decision on offshore oil drilling belongs at the California State Lands Commission. ... If Gov. Schwarzenegger insists that the fate of our state parks is derived from a single oil lease off the coast of Santa Barbara, he is presenting yet another false choice."
Bay Area's Haitians worry, wait for news of loved ones
| | January 13, 2010Also Wednesday, a C-17 shipped out of Travis Air Force Base en route to Haiti. The plan, from the 21st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, stopped first in Riverside to pick up supplies and personnel, according to information from the office of Rep. John Garamendi.
Travis Air Force Base Assisting with Federal
KCRA | | January 13, 2010"Travis Air Force Base, located in California's 10th Congressional District, is playing its part in this response as well," Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek), said in a statement. "This is the first plane sent out from the entire Air Mobility Command of the USA, and a vital step in the much broader relief effort."
Health Policy Experts Push For House Language In Final Version Of Health Care Bill
Huffington Post | Jeff Muskus | January 12, 2010But if the final reform bill winds up looking more like the Senate bill than the House bill, those protections will be easy for insurers to work around in the new insurance exchanges, Rep. John Garamendi, health policy experts and former industry insiders told reporters on a conference call Tuesday.
Members Meet to Talk Health Care
89.3 KPCC | Kitty Felde | January 12, 2010One wag noted that if Nancy Pelosi could get enough Democrats to find the hidden room, maybe Congress could actually pass health care legislation. Oh, and which member had Pelosi's ear as she descended the grand staircase? California's newest member, John Garamendi.
FireDogLake | Jason Rosenbaum | January 12, 2010As California Congressional Representative John Garamendi told reporters today, "Under health reform, 30 million people will buy their insurance through the Exchanges. I spent years as insurance commissioner in California, chasing after the insurance company scoundrels. You’re going to toss 30 million Americans to these sharks unless there is a real strong regulatory environment [like the House's Exchanges] and public option."
Progressives Push Lawmakers To Close The Loopholes In Health Care Reform
Think Progress' Wonk Room | Igor Volsky | January 12, 2010This afternoon, Health Care for America Now (HCAN) hosted a press call outlining some of the remaining loopholes in federal health care reform legislation. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), health expert Karen Pollitz, former Blue Cross chief medical officer and former state regulator Michael McGarvey, and Wendell Potter urged lawmakers to include a national health care exchange in the final health care reform bill.
Stimulus Money Put To Work on BART Project
KCBS | Margie Shafer | January 8, 2010Millions of dollars in stimulus funds are being spent on an East Bay BART project. The project is designed to put more seats on trains. "This is one example right here of where the Recovery Act money is being put to good use, people are working, people are able to pay taxes, take care of their families, have the pride of work," declared Congressman John Garamendi. "And, leave behind something that will be used for the next hundred years."
eBART Extension Nears Bid, Rep Garamendi Tours Station Sites
Streetsblog | Matthew Roth | January 8, 2010Representative Garamendi spent most of his day traveling to meetings on transportation policy and in the afternoon visited the Central Contra Costa Crossover project, which began construction in October 2009. The project, funded in part with $13 million in federal stimulus funds, will add two sections of crossover tracks between the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill stations. When completed in December 2010, the Crossover project will mean riders on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line will have more seating, more frequent trains and better on-time performance during commute hours.
New congressman takes bus tour of East Contra Costa
Contra Costa Times | Paul Burgarino | January 7, 2010Rep. John Garamendi recently took the wheel of the 10th Congressional District. But Thursday he took a back seat when hearing about transportation needs in East Contra Costa County.During a bus tour along Highway 4, Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, heard from local elected leaders and officials from Contra Costa Transportation Authority, BART and Tri Delta Transit about the transportation issues facing the area.
Freshman California Congressman Garamendi talks about life in Washington
89.3 KPCC | Kitty Felde | December 3, 2009California’s newest member of Congress may be a freshman on Capitol Hill, but he’s a veteran with more years of public service than most of his colleagues.
Bay Area Representatives not persuaded
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | December 2, 2009"(Obama) faces a difficult decision on a war he inherited, and I know his heart is in the right place," said Rep. John Garamendi. "But my first priority has to be here at home and creating jobs. Our national security depends upon the strength of our economy and we have spent $1 trillion on both of these wars (Iraq and Afghanistan). I remain unconvinced that more troops will solve the problem."
Jobs, LLNL Retiree Health Benefits Among Topics At Garamendi Meeting
Livermore Independent | Ron McNicoll | November 19, 2009Rep. John Garamendi sounded the theme of interlinking research and development with job creation in a town hall meeting in Livermore.
Garamendi wins transportation assignment
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | November 19, 2009Congress is scheduled to reauthorize its national transportation spending blueprint in the next year. The legislation typically contains formulas that spell out the return of gas tax dollars to states. Committee members have considerable influence over its contents as well as earmarks for specific projects.
Drew Joseph: Garamendi's committee assignments
San Francisco Chronicle | Drew Joseph | November 19, 2009It looks like Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, will be joining the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.
How would healthcare bill affect California?
San Jose Mercury News | Mike Zapler | November 15, 2009"A public option would provide an automatic alternative to that kind of despicable behavior," Garamendi said. "People could walk."
Garamendi's town a step back in time
Contra Costa Times | Matt O'Brien | November 15, 2009There is the waitress at Alma's Cafe who saw it from a house boat and had to stay; the former police officer who patrolled the town and now oversees the 82-year-old Walnut Grove Buddhist Church; the parents who overcame language barriers to rescue the elementary school from threats of closure; the San Francisco transplants restoring the traditional Japanese baths; and U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, who moved here while serving as an assemblyman in 1977.
Garamendi Takes Heat in First Town Hall
CBS 5 | Hank Plante | November 12, 2009It was a smooth beginning for Garamendi, who clearly may have found his political niche after three decades in other offices.
Rep. Garamendi holds debut town hall
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | November 12, 2009He may be a new congressman but the former lieutenant governor of California and 35-year veteran of public office easily handled his outspoken critics.
Rep. Garamendi Gets Earful From His New Constituents
KTVU | Randy Shandobil | November 12, 2009America's newest Congressman John Garamendi has been living life at warp speed. In Livermore today for his first Congressional town hall. But let's rewind the clock. Special election, voted into office just nine days ago. Cross country flight. Sworn into office a week ago. Just two days later, the historic vote in the House on health care reform. Garamendi voted yes. Found an apartment in Washington, flew back home.
Local congressmen tout health bill vote
Vacaville Reporter | | November 10, 2009Congressman John Garamendi, D-Solano, was sworn in as 10th District Representative (which includes Fairfield) on Thursday, just in time to participate in Saturday's vote. In comments on the House floor, he told the story of a friend whose son had kidney failure and was told his insurance didn't cover transplants. "They had to choose between debt or life. They chose life," he said, noting that when the boy turns 23, he'll be uninsurable "because he has a prior existing condition." The House bill, he concluded, would "end this despicable situation."
UC Regent Garamendi Wins Seat in Congress
The Daily Cal | Chris Carrassi | November 5, 2009Garamendi, 64, graduated from UC Berkeley in 1966 with a degree in business and was a second team all-American football player as an offensive guard. As lieutenant governor, Garamendi serves as an ex-officio member of the UC Board of Regents where he has opposed student fee increases and pushed for the implementation of a state oil-extraction tax as a means to fund higher education.
John Garamendi sworn in as congressman
KPCC Radio | Kitty Felde | November 5, 2009Garamendi easily won Tuesday’s special election to replace Ellen Tauscher. She left Congress to work in the State Department. Garamendi thanked Walnut Creek voters for their support. ... Capitol insiders expect Garamendi to join the House Transportation Committee. It’s gearing up to debate a major funding bill for roads and transit.
Garamendi Gets Right To Work in New Digs
NBC Bay Area | Lori Preuitt | November 5, 2009His arrival is very welcome timing for the Democrats. Pelosi needs his vote on her health care reform bill. That bill will mostly likely be Garamendi's first act as a member of congress and is expected to come this weekend.
Congressman Garamendi Sworn In
KCBS Radio | Holly Quan | November 5, 2009"Madame speaker is it is a great privilege, indeed I suspect, the greatest privilege a person could have - to stand in the well of the House of Representatives of the United States of America and address this august body," said Garamendi. "It's a privilege that I shall always remember, as I'll always remember this particular moment."
Garamendi on his way to Washington
San Francisco Chronicle Editorial | | November 5, 2009The freshman's first major vote could come Saturday, when the House is expected to vote on a health care plan. The good news is that health care is one of many issues on which Garamendi - a former state legislator, insurance commissioner and deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior - is very well versed. We have no doubt about his ability to hit the ground running.
Pelosi: Health care has two more votes
Chicago Tribune's The Swamp | Mark Silva | November 5, 2009For House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who plans to take a health-care overhaul to the floor of the House on Saturday, this week's elections meant one thing: Two more votes.
Congress gets another voice on health-care reform
The Washington Post | Ezra Klein | November 4, 2009In other words, Pelosi got more than another health-care vote out of Tuesday's election. She got another health-care wonk. It's probably a bit late for Garamendi to establish himself as a player in this reform fight, but the proposal is going to need guidance and modification after it's passed into law, and it'll be interesting to watch whether he proves a player in that phase.
Get This Guy a Committee Assignment
The New Republic | Jonathan Cohn | November 4, 2009Most of you know John Garamendi (if you know him at all) as the former California state official who won a special election for Ellen Tauscher's old seat in Congress. But those of us in the business of health wonkery know him as one of our own.
Garamendi sworn in as California's newest congressman
Contra Costa Times | Lisa Vorderbrueggen | November 4, 2009"This is the perfect job for John," said Barbara O'Connor, director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and Media at California State University in Sacramento. "He has been aspiring to this job for years and just didn't know it. He is the best equipped freshman congressman we have ever sent to Washington."
Garamendi takes the oath and gets to work
McClatchy Newspapers | Rob Hotakainen | November 4, 2009At her weekly news conference, Pelosi hailed Garamendi's arrival as "a great victory for our agenda." She said the biggest issue in the race was the Democratic health care plan, which was under attack, but that Garamendi still won big.
Talking Points Memo | Brian Beutler | November 4, 2009That creates some simple arithmetic. Yesterday, Democrats had 256 voting members in the House. By week's end, they'll have 258. Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could afford to lose no more than 38 Democratic votes on a landmark health care reform bill. Next week, after Owens and Garamendi are sworn in, she can lose up to 40. For legislation this historic and far-reaching, she'll need every vote she can get--and both seem likely to support reform.