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Dear Friend,
During Women's History Month, we celebrate and honor the countless contributions that generations of trailblazing women have made to our country. Women have broken barriers and been at the forefront of every movement pushing our country closer to realizing liberty and justice for all. To this day, women face obstacles to full equality including unequal pay, pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment and violence, and inadequate healthcare access.
That is why I believe Congress must continue to work to advance women’s equality by defending reproductive healthcare access, supporting women in the workplace, and combatting gender-based violence. This month and every month, we celebrate the legacy of women who have shaped our country's history and recommit ourselves to furthering opportunities for women and girls across America.
Congressman Garamendi honors leading women in our community in his annual Women of the Year event
As your representative in Congress, 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. I’m excited to tell you about the progress we made this week for our community and country.
Fighting Deadly Wildfires in California
Last week, I reintroduced my "Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act" (H.R.1242), which would unlock new, cutting-edge technologies to help California and other states better prepare for and respond to wildfires. As California faces increasingly severe and frequent wildfires due to climate change, our community's brave firefighters deserve all the help they can get from the federal government, including the military. This federal support would help ensure that our state can confront the harsh realities of a new, year-round fire season.
Congressman Garamendi discussed the use of military capabilities to fight wildfires with CalFire officials
Protecting Our Communities from Rail Disasters
Last month, a Norfolk Southern Corp train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, creating one of the worst environmental tragedies in America in years. The community was inundated with toxic chemicals that will have negative health consequences for its residents for years.
As I shared recently with the East Bay Times, I believe this tragic rail disaster is not an isolated incident. It could happen anywhere in America — including right here in Northern California. At a time when rail companies are making record profits, the federal government must require them to implement proven reforms to ensure communities across America will be protected from disaster. Every day that goes by without increased oversight and reform of the rail industry is a choice to put our communities and citizens at risk.
Supporting the Peace Corps
I was also proud to reintroduce my bipartisan "Peace Corps Reauthorization Act" (H.R.1273). My wife Patti and I were among some of the first Americans to heed President John F. Kennedy's call to service, traveling to serve in a small village in western Ethiopia right after our college graduation. Our time in the Peace Corps inspired a lifetime of public service that continued into state government in California, the Clinton Administration, and now, the U.S. Congress.
Now more than ever, Congress must support the Peace Corps' mission and realize President Kennedy's vision of generations of young Americans ready to serve their nation and make the world a better place. My reauthorization bill will do exactly that, providing much-needed resources for the redeployment of Peace Corps Volunteers, with the goal of reaching 10,000 volunteers serving annually around the world.
Congressman Garamendi serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Peace Corps Caucus
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 8th 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
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