John Garamendi, U.S. Congressman representing California’s 8th district since 2009, spoke out on August 28, 2025, against what he referred to as “Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill,’” expressing concerns about its impact on healthcare and food assistance for Contra Costa County residents.
In a tweet posted at 17:21 UTC from the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, Garamendi stated: “I’m live at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center with @supejohngioia and @ScalesShanelle to speak out against Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill.’ Trump’s law jeopardizes healthcare for 333,455 Contra Costa residents. We can’t let it stand.”
Later that day at 19:04 UTC, Garamendi reiterated his position alongside local officials: “I stood with @supejohngioia and @ScalesShanelle at @CoCoHealth to call out Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill’ – the worst bill I’ve seen in all my years of public service. Trump is putting the healthcare of over 300,000 Contra Costa residents & over 1 million Californians at risk.”
Addressing food insecurity issues in another appearance later that afternoon, Garamendi tweeted at 19:24 UTC: “I’m LIVE with @FoodBankCCS to speak out against Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill.’ This cruel law rips food from children, seniors, & working parents in order to give billionaires a handout. Californians deserve better.”
Garamendi has represented California’s 8th District in Congress since replacing Ellen Tauscher in 2009. Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the California State Assembly from 1974 to 1976 and served in the California State Senate from 1976 to 1990. Born in Camp Blanding, Florida in 1945 and currently residing in Walnut Grove, Garamendi holds degrees from both the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard University.
The proposed legislation referenced by Garamendi has drawn criticism from some lawmakers who argue it would reduce access to health care services for hundreds of thousands of residents and limit support for vulnerable populations such as children and seniors.
