Legislative History

Below is a chronicle of some of Congressman Garamendi’s legislative accomplishments for the 114th Congress.

ECONOMY, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY:

  • Garamendi authored H.R. 1678, a bill to address GPS as the single point of failure across our transportation, economic, and security systems by establishing a land-based backup system for position, timing, and navigation. A strengthened version of this bill passed out of the House on September 26, 2016.
     
  • Garamendi authored H.R. 1679, a bill to establish a national volatility standard that crude oil must meet before it can be transported by rail. Provisions related to the safe transportation of crude oil passed out of the House as two amendments Congressman Garamendi authored to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. Oil train traffic has increased by 5,000 percent because of the shale oil boom, and oil trains pass by major residential neighborhoods and schools in the Congressman’s district, including in Davis, Dixon, Suisun, and Marysville.
     
  • Garamendi authored H.R. 3669, the SAFE DRONE Act, to restrict the use of private drones within two miles of a wildfire or airport. Portions of this bill passed out of Committee through inclusion in H.R. 4441, the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act of 2016.
     
  • H.R. 761, a bill Congressman Garamendi coauthored with fellow representative Mike Thompson, was made the law of the land on July 10, 2015, when the President announced the official designation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument.
     
  • H.R. 3692, the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act authored by Congressman Garamendi, included:
    • $150 million for fire risk reduction and forest management
    • $113 million for storm water management, erosion control and watershed restoration
    • $80 million for the Environmental Improvement Program, which funds a variety of projects I the area
    • $45 million for invasive species management
    • Portions of this bill were signed into law through the FAST Act, the sweeping 5-year highway bill that Congressman Garamendi co-authored as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
       
  • Critical appropriations funding and language Congressman Garamendi ensured in the FY 2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill:
    • Investigation Funding
      • ​ American River Common Features, Natomas Basin: The Corps will be continuing preconstruction engineering and design of the first construction section which will improve levees that protect the Natomas Basin. FY 2016 funding at $3,500,000, up from $1,500,000 in FY 2015.
      • Lower Cache Creek: This money is to continue with the feasibility study to provide flood protection to the City of Woodland. The Corps is currently studying a number of design options for the project and will be identifying a design to move forward with in June/July. FY 2016 funding at $570,000, was at $800,000 in FY 2015.
      • Sacramento Bank Protection (General Reevaluation Report): The Corps will be scoping this General Reevaluation Report to focus on improving the Sacramento and Fremont Weirs and expanding the capacity of the Yolo Bypass. FY 2016 funding at $500,000, up from $200,000 in FY 2015.
      • Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration: The Corps and nonfederal sponsor will initiate a three year study on improving the fish passage in the Yuba River. FY 2016 funding at $700,000, up from $300,000 in FY 2015.
         
    • Construction Funding
      • Hamilton City: The J levee project will advance with the construction contract for levees this summer and also initiate restoration this summer. FY 2016 funding at $15,000,000, up from $3,800,000 in FY 2015.
      • Yuba River Basin (Ring Levee): The Corps will advance the design of all remaining sections. FY 2015 funding at $7,361,000, up from $5,000,000 in FY 2015.
      • Sacramento Bank Protection: The Corps will continue to reduce stream bank erosion along the Sacramento River levees to minimize the threat of flooding. FY 2016 funding at $6,000,000, up from $1,000,000 in FY 2015.
         
    •  Operations and Maintenance Funding
      • Suisun Bay Shipping Channel: The Corps will keep the channel operational using dredging and maintenance measures. FY 2016 funding at $3,250,000, was at $4,900,000 in FY 2015.
      • Yuba River Basin: This money will be used by the Corps for dam operations on the Yuba River. FY 2016 funding at $1,450,000, was at $1,438,000 in FY 2015.
      • Port of Stockton/San Joaquin River: Funding will be used for dredging and maintenance of the port to ensure it that is remains operational for commerce. FY 2016 funding at $4,442,000, was at $5,152,000 in FY 2015.
      • Sacramento River 30 Foot Project: Money will be used to maintain the 30 foot depth of the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel, ensuring the passage of large vessels. FY 2016 funding at $1,100,000, was at $1,300,000 in FY 2015.

 

  • As Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Congressman Garamendi was the Democratic author of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2015. The bill signed into law:
    • Supported the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine in their indispensable role in national security and economic prosperity.
    • Funds and implements best practices for meeting personnel needs, measuring performance, and utilizing new technology.
    • Included language authored by Congressman Garamendi directing the Secretary of Transportation to develop guidelines to promote the use of U.S. flag ships and U.S. mariners in the export of LNG
  • Congressman Garamendi continued his bipartisan leadership of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee through the on-time passage and signing into law of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2016, which:
    • Provides two years of funding authorization, including a path to construction of a heavy ice breaker to help ensure American sovereignty in the Arctic.
    • Includes funding plan for a new fleet of offshore patrol cutters necessary for the U.S. Coast Guard to secure our maritime borders, stop drug runners, and provide life-saving response on our lakes, rivers, and oceans.
  • Congressman Garamendi was a co-author of the 5-Year Transportation Bill signed into law this year after which included:
    • $26.3 billion for California, an increase of $2.3 billion over current levelS
    • Creates manufacturing jobs by increasing domestic content requirements for buses and rail cars from 60% to 70%
    • $10.3 billion for a new program to speed up freight movement and reduce traffic congestion
    • $4.2 billion for transportation alternatives such as walking and biking
    • $10 million TIGER Grant for Live Oak
  •  Congressman Garamendi ensured success of provisions in the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that:
    • Reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and a five-year extension of tax credits for solar and wind
    • Increased funding for the Maritime Security Program to $210 million, a big victory for the domestic maritime industry
    • Provided $1.3 billion for water resources projects within the Department of Interior, with no controversial riders on the California drought
    • Prohibited the retirement or divestment of the RQ-4 Global Hawk and KC-10 extender
    • Required that the Secretary of Transportation finalize a rule on response plans to oil train spills within one year
    • Included $2.65 billion for Wildland Fire Management
    • Included $936 million in NIH funding for Alzheimer’s Research—an increase of $350 million
    • Provided over $71.4 billion in funding for veterans’ services, an increase of $6.5 billion of 2015 levels.  

HEALTH:

  • District Work
    • Worked with state and federal regulators to get approval for the Rideout Memorial Hospital’s new emergency room.
    • Secured grant funding for local healthcare organizations such as Peach Tree, Ampla, and Harmony health to provide expanded community healthcare.
    • Secured an additional $2 billion for the National Institute of Health, one of the largest funders of UC Davis research, which has received 134 grants this year alone.

 

  • Co-sponsorships in the 114th Congress
    • H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act (Passed the House): Would use several methods to drastically increased funding for medical research and streamline FDA trial processes to make cures available for both common and rare diseases.
    • H.R. 1624, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act (became law): Alters the definition of small business under the Affordable Care Act to make insurance more affordable for companies with 51-100 employees.
    • H.R. 921, Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act of 2015 (Passed the House): Allows sports doctors to practice medicine across state lines if they are practicing on a player from their team. Provides liability coverage for teams that often cross state lines such as UC Davis Athletics.
    • H.R. 1209, the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act: Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to collect and publish data on health professional shortage areas so that resources can be adequately allocated
    • H.R. 3299, Strengthening Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2015:  Enhances community and hospital preparedness for public health emergencies by requiring the Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security coordinate on stockpiling medical supplies.
    • H.Res 801, Supporting the goals and ideals of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
    • H.R.5044, Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika virus, and provides an additional $1.9 billion to the Department of Health and Human Services to combat the Zika Virus.
    • H.R. 3986, High School Football Safety Study Act: Requires the Centers for Disease Control to conduct a study to more precisely identify the causes of deaths related to high school football and to develop recommendations to prevent such deaths
    • H.R. 4695, Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act: Develops maternity care quality measures and supporting maternity care quality collaboratives.
    • H.R. 4625, Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2016: Requires the Centers for Disease Control to develop and maintain a voluntary patient registry to monitor, collect, and make available epidemiological information related to cancer incidence and trends among firefighters
    • H.R. 4442, CONNECT for Health Act: Changes licensing requirements to allow for better use of telecommunications equipment in healthcare to lower cost of care and increase health outcomes.
    • H.R. 4447, Opioid Heroin Epidemic Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act: Provides additional funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address heroin and opioid drug abuse.
    • H.R. 3913, Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2015: Extends authorization for this critical program that provides services for gamily caregivers of children and adults with special needs through 2020.
    • H.R. 3770, End Surprise Billing Act of 2015: Requires that hospitals provide notice and a cost estimate to patients if their services are not covered under their insurance’s network. If the patient is receiving emergency services, a hospital could not charge more than the patient would pay for an in-network hospital.
    • H.R. 3727, Health Insurance Rate Review Act: Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to review all healthcare cost increases including premiums and fees.
    • H.R. 3742, Access to Marketplace Insurance Act: Requires health insurers to accept payments made by third parties on behalf of the insurers’ beneficiary.
    • H.R. 3696, Medicare Premium Fairness Act of 2015: Authorizes the use of federal funds to prevent increases in Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles for 2016.
    • H.R. 3656, Tobacco to 21 Act: Prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21.
    • H.R. 3652, 21st Century Women’s Health Act of 2015: Provides grants for family planning service projects, expansion of family planning preventive health services, and training of nurse practitioners specializing in women's health care.
    • H.R. 3641, Health Insurance for Former Foster Youth Act: Provides medical assistance to former foster care children since they have no family insurance to claim.
    • H.R. 3513, Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015:
      • requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid to negotiate lower prices on behalf of beneficiaries for drugs covered under Medicare Part D;
      • accelerates closure of the Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the "donut hole," where beneficiaries who have reached a certain level of yearly drug costs become fully responsible for any additional drug costs up to a certain limit;
      • requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates for prescription drugs dispensed to eligible low-income individuals under Medicare or Medicaid
      • expands the application of certain prescription drug rebate requirements under Medicaid to include rebates for generic drugs.
    • H.R. 3308, Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act: Expands Medicare coverage to include eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dental care.
    • H.R. 3381, Childhood Cancer STAR Act: Allows the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide support to collect the medical specimens and information of children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer to improve the understanding of these cancers and of the effects of treatment.
    • H.R. 3284, Mary Jo Lawyer Spano Mesothelioma Patient Registry Act of 2015
    • H.R. 3119, Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act: Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants or contracts for Palliative Care and Hospice Education Centers. These Centers must improve the training of health professionals in palliative care and establish traineeships for individuals preparing for advanced education nursing degrees, social work degrees, or advanced degrees in physician assistant studies in palliative care.\
    • H.R. 3061, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2015: Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers the prices that may be charged to Medicare part D prescription drug plan in an effort to lower prescription drug costs.
    • H.R. 3090, Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act: Authorizes grants for training and support services for Alzheimer's patients and their families.
    • H.R. 2799, FAST Act: Closes loopholes in the FDA review process that make it difficult to bring more affordable generic drugs to market.
    • H.R. 2739, Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act of 2015: Requires health insurance providers to cover oral anticancer drugs on terms no less favorable than the coverage provided for anticancer medications administered by a health care provider.
    • H.R. 2124, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2015: Provides authorization for additional residency positions, increasing access to physician care.
    • H.R. 1786, James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act: Reauthorizes the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, which provides funds for victims’ long-term health care costs.
    • H.R. 2228, Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2015: Allows for the personal importation of safe and affordable drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada.
    • H.Res. 237, Declaring that achieving the primary goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease of the Department of Health and Human Services to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease by 2025 is an urgent national priority.
    • HR 1602, Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015: Requires hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Requires HHS to develop a transparent method for establishing nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios.
    • H.R. 1571, Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2015: Deems an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital to be an inpatient with respect to satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital requirement in order to entitle the individual to Medicare coverage of any post-hospital extended care services in a skilled nursing facility.
    • H.R. 1559, Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act of 2015: Allows for Medicare coverage of all Alzheimer's disease care planning services.
    • H.R. 1707, Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2015: Allows the Department of Health and Human Services to establish and carry out a Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program under which HHS makes student loan repayments in exchange for a health professional providing frontline care services for two years in a frontline care scarcity area.
    • H.R. 1600, Patients' Access to Treatments Act of 2015: Establishes cost-sharing limits for health plans that cover prescription drugs and prohibits health plans from imposing higher cost-sharing requirements\
    • H.R. 1453, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2015: Requires that the inflationary metric is the same for Ambulatory Surgery Centers as it is for Hospital Outpatient Facilities, making these facilities which are spread throughout California more viable.
    • H.R. 1221, HELLPP Act: Includes podiatrists as physicians to cover services under the Medicaid program
    • H.R. 1220, Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2015: Waives coinsurance for colorectal cancer screening tests in order to cover all costs of the test.
    • H.R. 1427, Medicare CGM Access Act of 2015: Provides Medicare coverage of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices for diabetic patients
    • H.R. 1342, Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015: Allows payment for home health services to Medicare beneficiaries by nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists in coordination with a physician, certified nurse mid-wife, or a physician assistant under a physician’s supervision.
    • H.R. 1312, National Health Service Corps Improvement Act of 2015: Would make optometrists eligible for the fellowship program for the delivery of primary health services in health professional shortage areas, the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, and the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
    • H.R. 952, Put a Registered Nurse in the Nursing Home Act of 2015: Requires at least one registered nurse to be on duty at skilled nursing facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • H.R. 842, Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2015: Waives the 24-month waiting period for coverage under the program under Social Security Act for individuals diagnosed with Huntington's Disease.

MILITARY AND VETERANS:

  • ·Congressman Garamendi helped author the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act and made sure that the bill:
    • Fully funds the replacement of the Hydrant Fuel System at Travis Air Force Base
    • Includes language authored by Congressman Garamendi requiring the Department of Defense to provide further justification for several planned nuclear weapons programs, including a new nuclear cruise missile
    • Contains a 2.1% pay raise for service members.
    • Includes an amendment authored by Congressman Garamendi to authorize a pilot program for acquisition of innovative technologies for cybersecurity and other purposes.
       
  • Congressman Garamendi helped author the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act and served on the Conference Committee that ensured this bill was signed into law, championing provisions that:
    • Strengthened the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission at Beale Air Force Base and the air mobility, aerial refueling, and aeromedical evacuation missions at Travis Air Force Base by funding critical upgrades and maintenance programs for all of the platforms positioned at these bases, including the U-2 Dragon Lady, RQ-4 Global Hawk, KC-10 Extender, C-5 Galaxy, and C-17 Globemaster.
    • Addressed response to sexual assault in the armed services.
    • Congressman Garamendi successfully fought to strip out a provision that would have prohibited further implementation of the New START nuclear agreement with Russia, threatening America’s ability to understand Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenal.
    • Congressman Garamendi successfully fought to strip out a provision to privatize the commissary system.
    • Congressman Garamendi successfully fought to strip out a provision to drastically cut the basic allowance for housing (BAH) for married and cohabitating servicemembers.
  • · Congressman Garamendi pushed for a number of bills signed into law to support our veterans:
    • H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt SAV Act: Expands veterans’ access to mental health services and takes steps to increase the capacity and efficiency of VA care.
    • H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act: Allows veterans to receive their full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation.
    • H.R. 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act: Gives veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher a full year’s worth of paid sick leave up front so that they could use those hours at any time during the first year.
    • H.R. 4336, the Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act: Restores inurnment rights for Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) at Arlington National Cemetery
       
  • Garamendi has supported a number of strong veterans bills that have passed the House and continues to work closely with colleagues to get them to the President’s desk:
    • H.R. 969, the Blue Water Vietnam Veterans Act: Adds “Blue Water” Navy veterans to the list of Vietnam veterans eligible for compensation available
    • H.R. 1288, the World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act: Makes World War II Merchant Mariners eligible for honorary veterans’ status and certain veterans’ benefits
    • H.R. 1388, the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act: Starts the process for allowing interment of unclaimed veterans remains in national cemeteries like Arlington National Cemetery.
    • H.R. 1382, the Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment (BRAVE) Act: Allows the VA to give preference to businesses that actively employ veterans when awarding contracts (current law only allows preferences for veteran-owned businesses).
 

EDUCATION:

 

Higher Education
 

  • Garamendi is the author of, H.R. 5274, The Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act. This legislation was introduced by Congressman Garamendi after many meetings and discussions with those affected by the student debt crisis. The Congressman took their concerns and their experiences into strong consideration as he crafted H.R. 5274, which focuses on the 4 R’s –
    • Refinancing existing student loans to a lower interest rate, Recalculating future interest rates at a lower rate that is more consistent with the actual cost of the loan to the government, Reducing the student debt burden for both undergraduate and graduate students, and Reinvesting in our society and economy by freeing up the financial resources of borrowers.
       
  • Garamendi is a co-sponsor of the following legislation:
    • H.R. 5899 Strengthening Forgiveness for Public Servants Act: Further incentivizes public service for recent college graduates who carry student loan debt. The bill would allow Public Service Loan Forgiveness participants to have their Direct Loans deferred during their public service, with loan forgiveness being received in proportion to their years of public service
    • H.R. 4433 Working Student Act of 2015:  Seeks to adjust current statute to reflect the modern cost of living as well as costs associated with attending college, in an effort to help working students graduate without being forced further into debt.
    • H.R. 3991 The Veterans Education and Recovery Act: Restores GI Bill entitlement for students affected by sudden school closures, and continues housing payments through the semester, preventing student veterans from being suddenly faced with homelessness.
    • H.R. 4233 POST GRAD Act: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make graduate and professional students eligible for Subsidized Stafford Loans under the Federal Direct Loan Program.
    • H.R. 3786 Student Loan Fair Prepayment Act: Requires that extra payments on student loans apply toward the principal of the loan first, as opposed to the surplus going toward future payments and interest.
    • H.R. 3684 Preserving Teacher Loan Forgiveness for Military Spouses Act of 2015:  Provides a waiver for military spouses participating in the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, that would allow them to remain eligible for the program if the government relocates their family - so long as they continue to meet the five-year teaching requirement.
    • H.R. 2962 America's College Promise Act of 2015:  Authorizes and appropriates funds for the Department of Education to award grants to states and Indian tribes to waive tuition and fees at community colleges. It also authorizes grants to four-year HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions to waive or reduce tuition and fees for up to 60 credits for low-income students.
    • H.R. 2680 HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act: Requires the Department of Education to increase transparency in their reporting of institutions of higher education that are currently under investigation or sanctioned, and the findings of their investigations. The bill directs the Department of Education to develop a biennial sexual violence climate survey, and directs the Department of Education and the Department of Justice to create a joint interagency Campus Sexual Violence Task Force.
    • H.R. 2192 PRO Students Act: Increases protections for students, particularly those in the private for-profit sector. Requires that proprietary institutions must derive at least 15% of their revenue from non-federal student aid, with military and veterans education benefits are included in that calculation.
    • H.R. 1490 SOS Campus Act: Requires institutions of higher education that participate in any program under title IV of the Higher Education Act to designate an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response with experience in providing sexual assault victim services.
    • H.R. 1441 Manufacturing Universities Act of 2015: Authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a program to designate up to 25 institutions of higher education as U.S. manufacturing universities that are to be awarded funds over a four-year period.
    • H.R. 1421 Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2015: Requires institutions of higher education to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment that includes, prohibition of harassment of students, description of its programs to prevent harassment, description of procedures that students should follow if harassment occurs, and a description of the procedures it will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported.
    • H.R. 1399 Veteran Education Empowerment Act: Requires the Secretary of Education to award up to 30 four-year grants to institutions of higher education to establish, maintain, and improve Veteran Student Centers.
    • H.R. 1434 Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act: Establishes a program to allow qualified borrowers to refinance their student loan interest rates.

Pre-K through 12th Grade

 

  • H.R. 3221 Homeless and Foster Youth Achievement Act: Expands the categories required by states for reporting on student achievement and state academic assessments to include homeless status and status as a child in foster care.
  • H.R. 3067 Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act: Authorizes the use of grants to local educational agencies for carrying out child sexual abuse awareness and prevention programs and activities. The bill also establishes periodic evaluation requirements for grant programs and activities and principles of effectiveness.
  • H.R. 2902 Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2015: Requires states to direct their local educational agencies to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough to limit students’ ability to participate in school programs, or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment.
  • H.R. 2411 Strong Start for America's Children Act of 2015: Establishes a grant program that would provide states with the resources to expand high-quality preschool and early childhood education programs.
  • H.R. 2371 Broadening Opportunities Through Education Act: Directs the Department of Education to award competitive grants to states that make school attendance compulsory through age 17. Requires states use their grant to improve secondary school programs, such as by establishing or expanding work-based programs, providing extended-learning opportunities, and increasing student support programs.
  • H.R. 2022 Put School Counselors Where They're Needed Act: Directs the Department of Education to implement a demonstration project providing competitive 4-year grants to at least 10 secondary schools that have a cohort graduation rate of 60% or lower, for the provision of additional school counselors and counselor resources.     
  • H.R. 846 Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2015: Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates.
  • Early STEM Achievement Act - Original Co-Sponsor: Establishes a competitive grant program to provide assistance for early childhood STEM programs and teacher training that meet certain requirements.

·         

WATER AND AGRICULTURE:

Through his role in Congress, Garamendi has fought for responsible California water management and critical water projects in our district:

  • Led bipartisan push to advance Sites Reservoir to provide a more reliable water supply for the state
  • $6 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, including funding for all local flood control projects in our area
  • Wrote “Little Sip Big Gulp” Water Plan, a superior alternative to the twin tunnels that creates water for the entire state