Thompson and Garamendi Challenge Government Shutdown Responses

Congressman Mike Thompson and Congressman John Garamendi have both issued statements addressing recent legislative actions amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Their comments reflect significant concerns regarding the proposed measures and their implications for constituents and the broader American public.

Thompson Critiques Senate Bill

On October 16, 2023, Congressman Thompson, whose district encompasses parts of Solano County, declared his opposition to a bill passed by the Senate aimed at reopening the federal government. Despite some Democratic senators voting in favor of the legislation, Thompson expressed his intent to reject it when it comes before the House of Representatives. He criticized the Senate bill as “a bad deal for the American people,” highlighting its failure to address rising healthcare premiums and the detrimental cuts to Medicaid initiated by the President and Congressional Republicans.

“This bill fails to prevent Americans’ health care premiums from skyrocketing,” he stated. “It also kicks the can down the road for our farmers, failing to deliver a Farm Bill 2.0 that serves our ag community’s needs. I cannot support this bill.”

Thompson called for a collaborative approach to healthcare legislation, urging Speaker Johnson to engage in bipartisan negotiations. “I continue to call on Speaker Johnson to bring his party back to Washington to negotiate a bipartisan path forward that lowers costs and protects health care for hardworking Americans,” he emphasized.

Garamendi Critiques Aviation Cuts

Congressman Garamendi also voiced his concerns on the same day, focusing on the implications of potential flight cuts at major airports across the United States. He criticized President Donald Trump and Secretary of Transportation Pete Duffy for considering exemptions for private jets from a proposed 10 percent flight reduction at 40 airports. Garamendi issued a press release condemning this move, highlighting the disconnect between the experiences of average travelers and those of the wealthy.

“President Trump, we know you and your colleagues really love private jets, but most Americans travel commercial,” he remarked. He pointed out the significant disruptions families face, including long security lines and canceled flights, and urged the administration to prioritize public travel over luxury options.

Garamendi also expressed frustration over Congress’s lack of visibility into the specific plans behind the proposed cuts. He noted, “What’s equally frustrating, but again, not surprising, is that several individuals have allegedly been using American tax dollars to purchase private jets or fly privately while the rest of us face commercial flight cancellations.”

In his statements, Garamendi emphasized the disproportionate impact of these policies. He stated, “Private jets make up one in six flights handled by our already overburdened air traffic controllers.” He highlighted that there were 348,000 private jet departures in October 2023, with 70% originating from the United States.

The congressman argued that allowing private air travel to continue during a time of widespread commercial flight challenges demonstrates a prioritization of the wealthy over the needs of average Americans. “Luxuries for the billionaire class should never come at the expense of the safety of the American public or our aviation workforce,” he concluded.

Both Thompson and Garamendi’s statements underscore a growing concern among lawmakers regarding the implications of federal policies on healthcare and aviation, particularly how these decisions affect everyday Americans. Their calls for accountability and transparency reflect a broader demand for government action that prioritizes the needs of the public over special interests.