UPDATE: Congressman Mike Thompson has just announced his opposition to the newly passed Senate bill aimed at reopening the federal government, calling it a “bad deal for the American people.” This statement, made on his X account today, comes amid a critical government shutdown that directly impacts millions.
Thompson, representing parts of Solano County, voiced strong objections to the Senate’s approach, emphasizing that it fails to protect Americans from soaring health care costs and does not address essential Medicaid funding. “This bill fails to prevent Americans’ health care premiums from skyrocketing,” he stated. He also criticized the bill for neglecting the agricultural community by postponing necessary Farm Bill reforms.
In light of these developments, Thompson reiterated his call for a bipartisan effort to protect health care. “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 urged.
Meanwhile, Congressman John Garamendi, who also represents parts of Solano County, released a scathing statement regarding the potential exclusion of private jets from a proposed 10 percent flight cut at 40 major airports across the country. He criticized President Trump and Secretary of Transportation Pete Duffy for prioritizing the interests of the wealthy over everyday Americans.
“President Trump, we know you and your colleagues really love private jets, but most Americans travel commercial,” Garamendi remarked. He emphasized the current challenges families face, including long security lines and flight cancellations, particularly ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. “President Trump and Secretary Duffy better make certain that flights aren’t canceled so billionaires can fly uninterrupted in their private jets,” he insisted.
Garamendi’s frustration extended to the lack of transparency regarding the flight cut plan. He pointed out that several individuals, including state leaders, have allegedly utilized taxpayer funds for private travel while the average American faces disrupted commercial flights. “This further illustrates Trump’s willingness to put billionaires ahead of average Americans,” he said.
“Private jets make up one in six flights handled by our already overburdened air traffic controllers,” Garamendi noted, highlighting the staggering statistic of 348,000 private jet departures in October alone. He argued that allowing luxury travel to continue while working families struggle is a clear sign of misplaced priorities.
Garamendi also stressed the burden on aviation workers, stating, “It is unconscionable that they be asked to facilitate private jet operations for the ultra-wealthy while these critical employees are reporting to duty without pay.” He concluded that “luxuries for the billionaire class should never come at the expense of the safety of the American public or our aviation workforce.”
As the government shutdown continues, the implications of these statements resonate deeply within the community and beyond. Both Thompson and Garamendi are calling for immediate action to ensure that the needs of the American people are prioritized over the interests of a select few.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
