Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our nation, and it's our duty to support them as they transition back into civilian life. That's why this week, I co-led the reintroduction of Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act alongside Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02). This bill takes necessary steps to modernize the Post-9/11 GI Bill by increasing the annual stipend for educational materials, making sure it keeps pace with rising costs. This is a common sense, bipartisan effort to give our veterans the resources they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond, and I'm proud to join my colleagues in support.

Cooperatives are the backbone of our rural communities, providing essential services like healthcare, housing, and childcare. This week, I joined Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) in reintroducing the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act to reauthorize and improve the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program which helps people start rural cooperatives and other mutually owned businesses. By strengthening federal support for these businesses, we can help our rural economies grow and ensure Central Valley families have access to the resources they need.

This week, President Trump delivered his Presidential Address to a Joint Session of Congress. He spoke about enriching our economy, bringing down costs for hardworking families, and restoring American energy independence. The President also highlighted the importance of our agricultural sector and keeping our communities safe by securing the border and stopping the flow of fentanyl. These are critical issues, and I remain committed to working with the President and my colleagues in Congress to deliver real results for the Central Valley by reinforcing essential programs that support our families, growing our local economy, and ensuring our producers have the resources they need to thrive.

On Tuesday, I had the honor of speaking to the Citygate Network on behalf of the Mission at Kern County. As one of the largest providers of shelter and services in Kern County, the Mission is doing incredible work to support the homeless population in our community. I'm proud to continue our partnership and look forward to working together to offer hope to those in need.

This week, I met with some of our firefighters from Kern County. We discussed wildfire preparedness, support for the development of next-generation gear, and how Congress can better support their mission. The dedication our firefighters show is invaluable, and I'm grateful for all they do to keep us safe. I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure they can keep serving our community with excellence.

On Monday night, I met with the 54th class of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Giving night tours of our nation's capital is one of my favorite privileges, and it was great catching up with the next generation of leaders united to strengthen California agriculture and sustainably supply the world.

While I was in Washington this week, Team Valadao was out in the Valley connecting with the community. This week, my staff attended the Kern Council of Government, where they awarded individuals in the community for transformative projects done in the Central Valley. Some of these projects included road improvements and water distribution and assistance. They also visited Hall Ambulance's anniversary event. Hall Ambulance has been serving the City of Arvin for 50 years, and Team Valadao had a great time celebrating with their staff.

Trying to get an answer from a federal agency can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you ever need help navigating a federal agency, you can visit my website or call my Hanford office at (559) 460-6070. My team is ready to assist you!

Tratar de obtener una respuesta de una agencia federal a menudo puede ser un proceso frustrante y que requiere mucho tiempo. Si alguna vez necesita ayuda con una agencia federal, puede visitar mi sitio de web aquí o llamar a mi oficina de Hanford al (559) 460-6070. ¡Mi equipo está listo para ayudarte!

Do you have a question about my position on an issue? How the Congress operates? My thoughts on the news of the day?

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