After a years-long drought, much of California is now under water. The state has been hit by a series of atmospheric rivers that have devastated Central Valley communities with flooding and caused widespread damage to farms, businesses, homes, and critical infrastructure. This flooding has brought renewed attention to California’s water problems. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement in response to the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) updated 2023 water allocation announcement for Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that due to recent storms, California is ending some of the state’s water limits and expects to be able to provide 75% of the requested water supplies to State Water Project users in 2023. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) questioned the Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young about President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget. Congressman Valadao asked Director Young about the president’s proposal to end certain tax deductions for independent energy producers, and highlighted its impact on oil producers in Kern county. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) voted yes on H.J. Res. 27, a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act that would overturn the Biden administration’s final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The Biden administration’s WOTUS rule expands the federal government’s jurisdiction over America’s waterways under the Clean Water Act. This will have a large impact on small businesses, farmers, water districts, homebuilders, and private property owners. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) spoke on the House Floor ahead of the expected atmospheric rivers in California to stress the importance of capturing and storing as much of this rainwater as possible. While drought conditions have improved in many parts of the state thanks to recent storms, the state is still largely in a drought – meaning we cannot take this rain for granted. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement in response to the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) initial 2023 water allocation announcement for Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors. Reclamation announced an initial allocation of 35% for South-of-Delta agricultural repayment and water service contractors. They also announced an initial allocation for Municipal and Industrial repayment and water service contractors of 75% of their historic use. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) led members of the California Republican congressional delegation to President Biden and Governor Newsom urging them to waive impediments to Delta pump operations to ensure none of the current storm flows in California go to waste. The lawmakers also urged President Biden and Governor Newsom to prioritize and expedite water storage projects that would help the state be better prepared for future storm events. Read more »

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) reintroduced his sweeping California water legislation – the Working to Advance Tangible and Effective Reforms (WATER) for California Act. This bill focuses on streamlining operations, expanding water storage infrastructure, and increasing accountability. This is Congressman Valadao’s first legislative action of the 118th Congress, reaffirming his commitment to bring more water to the Central Valley. Read more »

Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) led Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), and the entire California Republican delegation in a renewed request to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to provide answers about the Department of Interior’s (Department) reconsultation process on the 2019 Biological Opinions (BiOps). Read more »