Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) has joined House Democrats in releasing a Make It In America jobs agenda.

Last week, as the House of Representatives considered the Small Conduit Hydropower Development Act, Garamendi introduced a Make It In America amendment on the House Floor that would have strengthened Buy America requirements.

The amendment would have carried out the simple principle that our tax dollars for public works projects should go toward U.S. manufacturing, creating American jobs. While the amendment was defeated, Garamendi said he will continue his fight for jobs.

“Our first priority as Representatives of the American people must be creating more American jobs,” said Congressman Garamendi. “Over the past two decades, the manufacturing sector has lost nine million jobs – in large part due to unwise public policy. However, manufacturing is roaring back with approximately half a million new jobs created in the last three years.”

Garamendi added, “We can do so much more by improving education, research, infrastructure, and adapting to changing conditions. The very first step though is simple: when the government invests in public works projects, including hydropower, that money should go toward employing American workers. The businesses are ready, the workers are ready, it’s time for Congress to step up to the plate, so we can Make It In America once again.”

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer announced the jobs agenda, consisting of four core components: a national manufacturing strategy, encouraging exports and improving transportation, encouraging manufacturers to bring jobs and innovation home, and maintaining a highly skilled and educated workforce.

Whip Hoyer said that Congressman Garamendi was the biggest champion of Make It In America agenda. Garamendi has supported the jobs plan through legislation, regular speeches on the House Floor, amendments in his committees, at town halls and other events in his congressional district, including at a recent meeting of his Manufacturing Advisory Group held in Davis, Calif.

At the press conference, Hoyer noted that many of the initiatives have bipartisan support. Also, several Make It In America bills passed Congress on a bipartisan basis and were signed into law.

Similarly, Congressman Garamendi’s past legislation and his amendment also have received support from Republicans and Democrats. These types of proposals to strengthen the manufacturing sector have broad support among the American public across the ideological spectrum.