Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, reflected back on his first year in office tackling issues from power shut offs to the coronavirus pandemic to the High-Speed Rail Project.
A little over a year ago, on May 19th, 2020, Garcia was sworn into office as the Representative for California’s 25th District, which includes Santa Clarita.
“I want you to know that since coming to Congress, with every vote I’ve taken, every bill I’ve introduced and every issue I’ve fought for; I have always kept the interests of our community, our security and the Constitution at heart,” Garcia said. “While there is still much work to be done, I’d like to take a moment and remind you of some of the work we’ve achieved on behalf of California’s 25th District over the last 12 months.”
The people of California are among the most taxed citizens in the nation, according to Garcia.
Knowing the burden of excessive taxes firsthand, Garcia has taken decisive action to help lower taxes for Californians and Santa Clarita residents in the 25th District.
Also recognizing that the integrity of our elections is vital to the future of our country, Garcia has been an advocate of election security reforms.
GARCIA introduced the SALT Fairness Act, H.R. 202, to repeal the unfair State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap that “punishes” hardworking, middle-class Californians.
Garcia also became a founding member of the bipartisan SALT Caucus.
“Our caucus will work in a bipartisan way to lower taxes for hard-working, middle-class Californians,” Garcia said.
The Congressman also cosponsored the Let States Cut Taxes Act, a bill that would repeal last-minute provisions included in the American Rescue Plan Act that prohibit states from providing much-needed tax relief.
Another task Garcia tackled in his first year of office, was cofounding the Election Integrity Caucus in Congress, with the goal of educating Americans on the importance of election integrity and supporting election reform measures such as Voter ID.
Garcia also cosponsored the Save Democracy Act, a bill that secures U.S. elections by cracking down on fraud and implementing Voter ID requirements.
The Congressman has also shown his support of law enforcement and military over the last year, during a time police have been facing backlash from the communities around the country.
“I’ve been a strong supporter of law enforcement and our military because I know that without them, it would be impossible to keep our community and our nation safe,” Garcia said.
One of the ways Garcia has showed his support to service members is by introducing the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act.
The bill is set to improve the economic security of military families by granting reciprocity to professional licenses of military spouses.
Garcia also cosponsored the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, which recently passed the House and would help veterans with PTSD by providing them access to therapy dogs.
After groups from around the country started showing support against law enforcement, Garcia teamed up with other lawmakers to try to stop the hate against police departments.
Garcia cosponsored the JUSTICE Act, which would provide additional resources and training for police officers to help improve public safety.
“I will continue fighting to ensure that our troops are well funded and supported as they serve our great nation,” Garcia said.
In addition to supporting law enforcement and military, Garcia has also been preparing for another California drought.
“As California faces yet another year of drought, it is imperative that we do all we can do to ensure we have updated water infrastructure,” Garcia said. “Additionally, the drought conditions we face increase wildfire risk. In Congress, I am working to ensure our community is better equipped to prepare for and prevent drought and wildfire.”
Garcia introduced a bill to reauthorize through fiscal year 2028 California provisions of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act.
“My bill would help improve California’s water infrastructure, and as a result improve Californians’ access to water,” Garcia said. “Continue to fight against California’s excessive use of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Instead, we need to enact real solutions such as modernizing our electrical power grid.”
Introduced an amendment to create an Artificial Intelligence Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“This AI Center will help detect wildfires earlier and disseminate important information to firefighters on the ground,” Garcia said. “My amendment was adopted unanimously in the House and signed into law by the President.”
Another task Garcia is working to tackle is stopping “reckless” federal spending:
“I am honored to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, the committee charged with appropriating federal funding,” Garcia said. “Serving on this committee has given me a unique opportunity to fight for federal resources and support for California’s 25th District.”
Garcia also stressed that the Secretary of the Transportation (DOT) Pete Buttigieg that it is imperative “we do not fund California’s failed High-Speed Rail Project,” Garcia said.
Garcia co-sponsored the Stop the High-Speed Money Pit Act, which would prohibit federal funding for California’s High-Speed Rail Project.
Another problem Garcia has been working to end is illegal marijuana grows in the high desert areas of southern California.
Garcia wrote to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding action and support to help combat the illegal marijuana grows taking over communities in the Antelope Valley, Acton and Agua Dulce.
“I continue to work with local and federal law enforcement to protect our community from this increasing threat,” Garcia said.
One task Garcia has had to battle is one that leaders on all levels had to face, combating COVID-19:
“As our nation continues to recover from the worst of the pandemic, I’ve closely monitored opportunities to support meaningful and fiscally responsible COVID-19 relief and support,” Garcia said.
Garcia is continuing to be a fierce advocate for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by supporting its continued funding and most recently voting to extend the application deadline for an additional 2 months.
Garcia also supported $2,000 stimulus checks in December to provide Californians with financial relief more reflective of the cost of living in our state.
The Vaccinate More Americans Act in January, Cosponsored by Garcia, which sought to increase the rate of vaccinations in states like California by slashing burdensome regulations on vaccine providers.
“While I represent our community in Washington, I also spend a great deal of time in CA-25,” Garcia said. “I always seek to help our community in any way I can, especially with assisting constituents with federal casework. My office and I resolved more than 1,000 constituent cases with a federal agency.”
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