John Garamendi

Electoral integrity

Criminal justice

Fiscal policy

Healthcare

Education

Economy and labor

Environment and energy

Immigration

National security and foreign policy

Civil rights and liberties

Social policy

Technology and data

Civil liberties and government power

Government accountability and transparency

Infrastructure and public investment

Garamendi stated that an energy and water appropriations bill passed by one vote removed funding for climate initiatives, renewable energy, and energy efficiency while increasing spending on nuclear weapons programs including the Sentinel program and plutonium pit production, and removed Army Corps of Engineers funding for flood protection and levies.

Garamendi marked the 15th annual International Day Against Nuclear Tests on August 29th by discussing the harmful legacy of nuclear testing conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1963, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, and Kazakhstan's decision to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and relinquish its nuclear arsenal.

Garamendi introduced the Transportation Emergency Relief Extension Act, which would extend the deadline for state and local governments to begin construction on federally funded disaster-recovery highway projects from 2 fiscal years to 6 years following a disaster declaration.

Garamendi introduced a House resolution with Representative Lizzie Fletcher to reaffirm the principles of the Constitution, including separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial independence, and congressional control over spending, war declaration, and oversight.

Garamendi introduced the Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act of 2025 with Representatives Mike Bost, Chris Deluzio, and Brian Fitzpatrick.

Garamendi introduced the Public Inspectors for Safe Infrastructure Act with U.S. Representatives Julia Brownley, Stephen Lynch, and Rashida Tlaib, which would require construction inspections for federally funded highways to be conducted by public employees.

Garamendi reintroduced the Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act alongside Representative Ken Calvert, which would allow states to designate accredited nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal funding under the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program.

Garamendi spoke for 60 minutes to compare Democratic policy proposals with Republican budget reconciliation plans, stating that the Republican budget would harm working families' health and nutrition while providing $3.5 trillion in tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

Garamendi spoke on the House floor on February 14, 2025, expressing opposition to the cessation of USAID funding and the dismantling of USAID programs, and recounted his personal experiences with USAID vaccination and food assistance programs.

Garamendi spoke for 60 minutes during a Special Order hour on the Trump administration's dismantling of the Federal Government, discussing USAID programs, food assistance, and vaccination efforts he and his wife participated in over nearly 58 years.

Garamendi addressed the House for one minute to express concern about the destruction of USAID, stating that a $280 million presidential campaign investment should not result in dismantling one of America's important soft power tools, and called on Mr. Musk and the President to reverse the policy by considering the humanitarian impact on refugees and starving children worldwide.

Garamendi stated that it would be unconscionable for the House to place any condition on federal assistance to California in response to the Los Angeles fires, and called on the Speaker and members of Congress to support fellow Americans in need without conditions.

Garamendi stated that it would be unconscionable for the House to place any condition on Federal assistance to Los Angeles and referenced that $120 billion had gone to Louisiana over the last 20 years following Hurricane Katrina.

Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 — This bill advances government transparency by requiring the Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on threats to agriculture and natural resources.

DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024 — This bill supports national security by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to develop better technology for detecting dangerous drugs at borders and ports of entry.

Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act — This bill advances Native American sovereignty and self-determination by transferring land to tribal control, supporting the civil right of indigenous peoples to govern their own territories.

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 — This bill supports Holocaust education programs by extending federal authorization and funding for educational initiatives through 2030.

Midnight Rules Relief Act — This bill makes it easier for Congress to overturn multiple regulations at once during presidential transitions, which could reduce executive branch accountability by allowing rapid reversal of rules without individual scrutiny.

Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 — This bill extends and updates federal programs that protect endangered wildlife species and their habitats through conservation funding and partnerships.

Increasing Baseline Updates Act — This bill would advance government transparency by requiring the Congressional Budget Office to publish more frequent budget projections and disclose the economic data behind their calculations.

SHIELD Against CCP Act — This bill strengthens U.S. national security by establishing a coordinated effort within the Department of Homeland Security to identify and counter security threats posed by China across multiple critical areas including terrorism, cyber attacks, and border protection.

Garamendi rose in support of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 and described provisions he secured in the bill for Mare Island redevelopment, Bay Area sea level rise studies, wetlands restoration, and water supply improvements in California's 8th Congressional District.

Garamendi introduced the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act, which would add approximately 5,658 acres of adjacent baylands to the existing refuge and increase its acreage by more than 23 percent.

Garamendi introduced the Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act, which would allow states to designate accredited nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal funding under the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program.

Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 — This bill strengthens national security by reducing Chinese government influence over U.S. shipping infrastructure and giving federal authorities more power to prevent foreign manipulation of maritime commerce.

Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. — This bill opposes a carbon tax as economically harmful, taking a stance against a potential revenue-raising or economy-regulating tax policy.

Denouncing the harmful, anti-American energy policies of the Biden administration, and for other purposes. — This bill opposes environmental regulations on energy production and federal lands while promoting increased domestic fossil fuel development.

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Condemning the illegal abduction and forcible transfer of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. — This bill strengthens the U.S. position on a major foreign conflict by formally condemning Russian actions against Ukrainian children and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act — This bill uses sanctions to protect the stability and democracy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, advancing U.S. foreign policy interests in maintaining peace in a strategically important region.

Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act — This bill would restrict or ban applications controlled by foreign adversaries like China from operating in the United States to protect national security and prevent foreign surveillance of Americans.

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024 — This bill extends federal funding and authorization for airport infrastructure programs and aviation services, supporting continued public investment in transportation infrastructure.

Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 — This bill authorizes federal spending to keep government operating and funds student aid programs, representing a decision to maintain current spending levels rather than make cuts or increases.