Dear ,

As your elected representative, it is one of my top responsibilities to provide you with information on the work happening both in Washington D.C., and at home in our community. In Washington, I am working hard for my bipartisan legislation to rebuild our country's fleet and improve ferry services in our community. My casework staff and I are eager to assist you in navigating President Biden's pardon of all federal marijuana possession offenses and the provision of targeted debt relief for student loans. Next week, I will have the honor of hosting our ninth annual Women of the Year Awards to highlight outstanding women in our District. I’m excited to tell you about the progress we made this week for our community and country.

In Washington:

Pardoning Federal Marijuana Possession Offenses

On Thursday, President Biden pardoned all federal marijuana possession offenses, marking a historic point in the fight against mass incarceration and policies that disproportionately hurt communities of color. I am proud that decades of unequal enforcement of drug laws can now begin to be addressed. This policy will allow those convicted of possessing a drug, now legal in California, to seek employment, housing, and military service without the barrier of a felony conviction.

Improving Ferry Service

With rising sea levels due to climate change and increasing congestion on our bridges, we must expand ferry service across the Bay Area. That’s why I partnered with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to introduce the bipartisan “Ferry Service Expansion Act” (H.R.8934). My bill will provide critical federal funding to retrofit diesel Water Emergency Transportation Authority ferries to reduce emissions and eventually replace the entire Bay Area fleet with zero-emission ferries built by skilled American workers. This funding will combat climate change, provide good-paying jobs, and improve traffic in our community.

Congressman Garamendi helped secure $14.9 million to improve WETA’s electric ferry system, helping create fast, emission-free, and traffic-free commutes for his constituents.

Rebuilding Our Country's Fleet

On Monday, I introduced the bipartisan “Rebuilding the United States-Flag International Fleet Act” (H.R.9102), with Congressmen Bob Gibbs (R-OH07) and Alan S. Lowenthal (D-CA47), which would strengthen federal cargo preference laws to reverse the continued decline of U.S.-flagged commercial vessels delivering cargo to foreign ports. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of ocean-going U.S.-flagged vessels has declined by more than 75 percent since 1985. My comprehensive, bipartisan legislation would help to recapitalize the U.S.-flag fleet of ocean-going, commercial vessels by guaranteeing government cargo during peacetime so that U.S.-flag vessels are available during wartime or emergencies.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the number and size of the U.S. flag merchant fleet have decreased since 1985.  

In Our Community:

Providing Critical Student Loan Relief

In August, President Biden signed an Executive Order, providing targeted debt relief to lower- and middle-income families by providing $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers with loans held by the Department of Education are eligible for this relief if their income is below $125,000 (for individuals) or $250,000 (for married couples or heads of households).

Nearly 8 million borrowers will be eligible to receive student loan relief automatically as their relevant income data is already available to the Department of Education. For borrowers whose income data is unknown or who are unsure whether their income data is known, an application for forgiveness will become available this month. Borrowers can be notified once the application opens by signing up here. My team of caseworkers is eager to assist you in this application process; for help with this process or an issue with another federal agency, you can submit an online request or call my Davis District Office at 530-753-5301.

2022 Women of the Year Awards Ceremony

Every year, I am joined by the Women’s Initiative Network of California’s 3rd Congressional District to host our District's Women of the Year Awards to honor women who have made a difference in their communities. As I reflect on the last 10 years representing our District, I am excited to honor the important work women do throughout our community.

The 9th Annual Women of the Year Awards Ceremony for California’s 3rd Congressional District will take place on Thursday, October 13th, 2022. Following the recognition of the 2022 Women of the Year honorees, I will host a conversation about the "Women’s Health Protection Act" (H.R.3755) and other critical issues important to women and families in the 3rd District. You can tune into the livestream of this important ceremony on my Facebook page.

Last year, Congressman Garamendi honored women across the 3rd District for their contributions to our community.  

I’m incredibly proud of the great work that we have been able to get done this week. It is an honor to represent the people of California’s 3rd Congressional District and I will keep fighting to make sure your interests are represented in our work in Congress.

Sincerely,

JOHN GARAMENDI
Member of Congress