“California produces more in agriculture exports than any other state, totaling nearly $22 billion in value in 2019, and our Central Valley farmers are especially key players in this sector of international trade,” said Congressman Valadao. “The failure of VOCCs to adhere to reasonable carrier practices threatens our local economy and the livelihoods of producers reliant on these ocean carriers. The Central Valley is proud to feed the world, and it is entirely unacceptable for these carriers to exploit American agriculture producers. Resolving this issue is critical to the prosperity of our nation’s agriculture industry, and I appreciate the Federal Maritime Commission’s continued investigation into this pressing matter.” Read more »

“As the son of immigrants and lifelong dairy farmer, I know firsthand how desperately our agriculture workforce needs meaningful reform,” said Congressman Valadao. “Many industries in the Central Valley rely heavily on immigrant labor. Our farm workers are absolutely critical to our collective mission of reliably feeding America, yet many live in fear due to an inability to gain legal status through our broken immigration system. Ensuring that our essential farm workers already in the states receive legal status, while also simplifying and streamlining the process for future farm workers to do the same, is just common sense.” Read more »

Today, Congressman David G. Valadao and the entire California Republican delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) to emphasize California’s water needs and to express strong support for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s new coordinated long-term operations plan for the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the California State Water Project (SWP). This includes the associated biological opinions developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) within the Interior and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within Commerce that were completed last year. Read more »

“Agriculture in the Central Valley drives our local economy, provides tens of thousands of jobs, and produces food for the entire world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, farm workers have sacrificed their health and safety to keep our families fed. Now, the Bureau of Reclamation threatens this supply of food and countless livelihoods. The Central Valley farming community has survived devastating drought conditions and burdensome regulations for decades; however, our farms cannot survive without greater water allocations for South-of-Delta agriculture. It is critical allocations of California’s water supply reflect the needs of these farms so they many continue to produce the food our nation relies on.” Read more »

“The strong, broad-based bipartisan support for this letter reflects our enduring Congressional solidarity with the Armenian people – here in the Central Valley, across America, and in the Armenian homeland,” said Congressman Valadao. “We look forward to working with the Administration on a broad array of policies to protect Artsakh, strengthen Armenia, and bring peace to this region.” Read more »

Today, Congressman David G. Valadao, Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congressman Jim Costa, Congressman Devin Nunes, and Congressman Josh Harder sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and Acting FEMA Administrator Robert Fenton strongly urging the establishment of multiple COVID-19 vaccination sites in California’s Central Valley. Governor Newsom recently announced two community vaccination sites in Alameda and Los Angeles Counties, though those two counties already have far higher vaccination rates than Central Valley counties. While Governor Newsom later indicated the intent to establish a vaccination site in the Valley, low vaccination rates demonstrate the need for multiple sites throughout the region. Read more »

Today, U.S. Representative David G. Valadao re-joined the bipartisan American Sikh Congressional Caucus as Co-Chair alongside Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA). Founded in 2013 by Congressman Valadao and former Co-Chair Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), the Caucus was formed to address the pressing issues faced by the American Sikh community. Read more »

Today, U.S. Representative David G. Valadao introduced the Responsible, No-Cost Extension of Western Water Infrastructure Improvements, or RENEW WIIN, Act, a no-cost, clean extension of operations and storage provisions of the WIIN Act (P.L. 114-322). This is Congressman Valadao’s first legislative action of the 117th Congress, bolstering his commitment to fighting to bring more water to California. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao to Serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman David G. Valadao was named a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. “Armenia is a nation so many of my constituents know and love,” said Congressman Valadao. “During my time in Congress, I introduced several resolutions formally recognizing… Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao Statement on Inauguration of the 46th President of the United States WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman David G. Valadao released the following statement after Joseph R. Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States: “Today, I was honored to witness the peaceful transition of power from one world leader to the next. We are so blessed to live in… Read more »