Congressman Garamendi at Highway 12 Groundbreaking Stresses Need for Good Surface Transportation Act, Make It In America Policies

Press Release

Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a former Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today joined a number of local officials, including Congressman Mike Thompson and Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, at the Highway 12/Jameson Canyon Road groundbreaking in Napa County. The Highway 12 Widening Project, helping to further link Solano County to Napa and Sonoma counties, will make transit easier for travelers and commuters in Northern California.

"Today we celebrate an important transportation project that will create area jobs and make travel easier and safer for thousands of Northern Californians," Congressman Garamendi said. "I would note that the federal government was a partner in this project to the tune of $7.8 million."

"Investments in transportation are a vital part of America's budget, and that's why it's critically important that the House of Representatives pass the Senate's bipartisan Surface Transportation Act," Garamendi continued. "Too many jobs depend on reliable transportation; I hope Republican leadership in the House stops playing politics with our roads, bridges, and public transportation."

"As we consider new transportation projects moving forward, I will continue to advocate for stronger Make It In America policies that make sure these investments create as many good American jobs as possible," added Garamendi. "We cannot abandon manufacturing -- the backbone of America's middle class -- and transportation provides an opportune chance to use the power of the federal government to help American workers."

Last month the Senate passed a fully funded, two year, bipartisan transportation bill (74-22) with 22 Senate Republican's signing on in support. This bill would address needed investments in America's aging transportation infrastructure for the next two years, supporting both highway and transit projects. Congressman Garamendi is an original co-sponsor to the House version of the Senate transportation bill, H.R. 14, "Moving Ahead for the 21st Century" (MAP-21) introduced by Representative Tim Bishop (D-NY). The House leadership had an opportunity to bring H.R. 14 (MAP-21) to the floor, creating thousands of jobs and addressing Americas transportation needs, but reverted back to their "my way or no highway" agenda.

Congressman Garamendi is the author of the Airports, Highways, Trains and Transit: Make It In America Act (H.R.613), which would create good American jobs by setting stronger Buy America standards for goods and equipment purchased with federal dollars for airports, highways, trains, and transit.

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