John Garamendi
Representative for California · Democratic · United States
“I voted against this bill in committee and will on the floor. This bill cannot continue to increase military spending while the administration unilaterally misuses our Armed Forces at home and abroad, as they intend to fight immigration and Iran.”
“Mr. Chair, I begin by honoring those members of the military that lost their lives recently in the Iran conflict. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership. It has also been a pleasure to work with Chairman Bergman. He is a great partner.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E720] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. KEITH ANTHONY BOTTOMS ______ HON.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E720] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. KEITH ANTHONY BOTTOMS ______ HON.”
“Born in San Francisco and raised in South San Francisco, Keith married the love of his life, Caroline Connolly Bottoms, on October 25, 1980. Together, they built a life in Pacifica centered on family, on hard work, and on generosity.”
“Born in San Francisco and raised in South San Francisco, Keith married the love of his life, Caroline Connolly Bottoms, on October 25, 1980. Together, they built a life in Pacifica centered on family, on hard work, and on generosity.”
The complete record
Every one of 18 lines we hold for John Garamendi, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Keith also took pleasure in his daily rituals that he kept on a tight schedule even until his last days, which included providing Caroline with breakfast in bed at 6:00 am every workday, feeding the squirrels and birds in his backyard, watering the garden, and putting away his neighbor's trash cans every Wednesday morning. These small acts of service gave him purpose every day and his life gave meaning to everyone who knew him. On behalf of California's 8th Congressional District, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Bradley and Keith's family and friends on their loss. Keith's joy, humor, and work ethic have left a lasting legacy that forever bettered the lives of everyone he met. ____________________”
“Everyone knew Keith--from his Pacifica neighbors, who he talked to while gardening or while working on cars, to the clerk at the local market where he purchased lottery tickets-- his curiosity and interest made a profound mark on each of them. He loved the simple things that brought him joy: long walks in San Pedro Valley Park or at the Pacifica Pier, cheering on the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, debating politics with strangers, and donating twice a week to the lottery fund. He also enjoyed international travel with Caroline and their friends.”
“Keith spent 42 years working as a union automotive technician, a career that reflected his work ethic, skill, and pride in repairing even the most challenging of vehicles. He was incredibly curious and wanted to know how every system and structure functioned. After he retired, he focused his skills on home improvements, confident in his abilities as a carpenter, electrician, and landscaper. To know Keith was to know his humor. He was funny, playful, and unapologetically sarcastic. He had a rare ability to connect with people--often stopping strangers on the street or at Costco just to say hello, turning quick encounters into deep conversations. He took a genuine interest in others, caring about where they came from and often asking how he could help.”
“Born in San Francisco and raised in South San Francisco, Keith married the love of his life, Caroline Connolly Bottoms, on October 25, 1980. Together, they built a life in Pacifica centered on family, on hard work, and on generosity. Keith was a proud and loving father to his daughter, Lauren Bottoms (son-in-law Andrew Stiffler), and his son, Bradley Bottoms, who has spent his career serving California as my Chief of Staff. Keith dedicated himself to ensuring his children had every opportunity, no matter what, and took immense pride in sharing their achievements with anyone who would listen. Keith believed to his core that Lauren and Bradley were the best at whatever they chose to do. And I know he was immensely proud of the children he and Caroline raised.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E720] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. KEITH ANTHONY BOTTOMS ______ HON. JOHN GARAMENDI of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Keith Anthony Bottoms, father to my long time Chief of Staff Bradley Bottoms. Throughout his life, Keith was a dedicated father, husband, and brother. His legacy of joy, his dedication to his work and family and his humor will continue to inspire us for years to come.”
“I haven't even gotten to my favorite issue, the Sentinel and the programs of our nuclear arsenal. Again, why? We don't need the Sentinel. We don't need to spend billions on it. We can get along quite well with the existing Minuteman.”
“The children's food programs, in schools and out, are not there. They will go hungry. Several hundred billion dollars in healthcare is gone, and it goes on and on. This could not possibly be in our interest. The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.”
“I voted against this bill in committee and will on the floor. This bill cannot continue to increase military spending while the administration unilaterally misuses our Armed Forces at home and abroad, as they intend to fight immigration and Iran. This bill also authorizes more than $1.5 trillion, plus another $300 billion in the reconciliation bill, which apparently will be with us soon, plus another $80 billion or $90 billion to pay for the Iran war. This is an outrageous and dangerously irresponsible amount of spending. Increasing the budget is not a strategy. Without discipline and oversight, it rewards programs that are over budget, behind schedule, and failing to deliver. How is all this paid for? It is paid for with cuts to healthcare. Medicaid is eviscerated in the upcoming months ahead.”
“Mr. Chair, I begin by honoring those members of the military that lost their lives recently in the Iran conflict. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership. It has also been a pleasure to work with Chairman Bergman. He is a great partner. I also thank the Readiness Subcommittee, both on the majority and minority sides. I am proud of what we were able to accomplish this year, authorizing over $2 billion for new barracks and dormitories and other critical infrastructure projects. The bill includes positive [[Page H4743]] provisions, including servicemember pay raises, protections for civilian workers, right-to-repair authorities, and transparency on military operations in the Middle East. Good provisions do not cure the larger problems this bill faces.”
“Keith also took pleasure in his daily rituals that he kept on a tight schedule even until his last days, which included providing Caroline with breakfast in bed at 6:00 am every workday, feeding the squirrels and birds in his backyard, watering the garden, and putting away his neighbor's trash cans every Wednesday morning. These small acts of service gave him purpose every day and his life gave meaning to everyone who knew him. On behalf of California's 8th Congressional District, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Bradley and Keith's family and friends on their loss. Keith's joy, humor, and work ethic have left a lasting legacy that forever bettered the lives of everyone he met. ____________________”
“Everyone knew Keith--from his Pacifica neighbors, who he talked to while gardening or while working on cars, to the clerk at the local market where he purchased lottery tickets-- his curiosity and interest made a profound mark on each of them. He loved the simple things that brought him joy: long walks in San Pedro Valley Park or at the Pacifica Pier, cheering on the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, debating politics with strangers, and donating twice a week to the lottery fund. He also enjoyed international travel with Caroline and their friends.”
“Keith spent 42 years working as a union automotive technician, a career that reflected his work ethic, skill, and pride in repairing even the most challenging of vehicles. He was incredibly curious and wanted to know how every system and structure functioned. After he retired, he focused his skills on home improvements, confident in his abilities as a carpenter, electrician, and landscaper. To know Keith was to know his humor. He was funny, playful, and unapologetically sarcastic. He had a rare ability to connect with people--often stopping strangers on the street or at Costco just to say hello, turning quick encounters into deep conversations. He took a genuine interest in others, caring about where they came from and often asking how he could help.”
“Born in San Francisco and raised in South San Francisco, Keith married the love of his life, Caroline Connolly Bottoms, on October 25, 1980. Together, they built a life in Pacifica centered on family, on hard work, and on generosity. Keith was a proud and loving father to his daughter, Lauren Bottoms (son-in-law Andrew Stiffler), and his son, Bradley Bottoms, who has spent his career serving California as my Chief of Staff. Keith dedicated himself to ensuring his children had every opportunity, no matter what, and took immense pride in sharing their achievements with anyone who would listen. Keith believed to his core that Lauren and Bradley were the best at whatever they chose to do. And I know he was immensely proud of the children he and Caroline raised.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E720] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. KEITH ANTHONY BOTTOMS ______ HON. JOHN GARAMENDI of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Keith Anthony Bottoms, father to my long time Chief of Staff Bradley Bottoms. Throughout his life, Keith was a dedicated father, husband, and brother. His legacy of joy, his dedication to his work and family and his humor will continue to inspire us for years to come.”
“In addition, it implements safeguards to prevent misuse of the Program and allows the U.S. Forest Service or State to reclaim easements if a land trust falls into noncompliance with the Program. By unlocking new opportunities and funding for permanent land conservation, the ``Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act'' takes a critical step towards protecting our country's natural resources and forests for future generations. My colleagues and I are honored to reintroduce this legislation to preserve America's working forests and bolster our rural economies. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all members to join us in cosponsoring this bill. ____________________”
“Current law requires that only the federal or state governments can hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program. Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help permanently conserve more land by working with private landowners who want to have their land conserved but are wary of selling the federal or state governments an easement on their property. Expanding opportunities to conserve working forestlands will benefit our rural economies and encourage sustainable forest management practices that help prevent wildfires. This bill maintains the integrity of the Forest Legacy Program by holding all accredited, nonprofit land trusts participating in the Program to the highest possible standards.”
“As the former Deputy Secretary of the Interior, I know our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. The federal and state governments can and must work with private landowners who want to do their part to conserve America's natural landscapes, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. This bill would unlock millions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands, create local jobs, and support sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk. Specifically, the ``Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act'' would allow States to choose to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal funding under the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E303] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REINTRODUCTION OF THE FOREST LEGACY MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY ACT ______ HON. JOHN GARAMENDI of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce the ``Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act,'' alongside Representative Ken Calvert (R- CA). I thank my colleagues, Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) for cosponsoring my bill.”