I'll be resuming this newsletter when Congress is back in session the first week of September. This past month in the Central Valley has been very productive, and I look forward to taking everything I've learned back to Washington.

Today, I reintroduced two bipartisan bills to improve the domestic specialty crop industry—the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. Specialty crops are a cornerstone of Central Valley agriculture, but due to challenges like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs, it’s been difficult for farmers to stay competitive. We need to ensure our growers are best equipped to handle these obstacles, and these bills will give them the tools needed to expand into new markets, invest in modern technology, and continue putting fresh, nutritious food on tables across the country.

Head Start and Early Head Start are incredibly important programs for families throughout the Central Valley, so it was great to meet with representatives from the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) to discuss them. During my time there, I took a tour of the facilities and spoke about the need for federal funding with CAPK leadership. These programs give children the foundation they need to succeed in school and beyond, and I'll continue to advocate for both.

This week, I joined Adventist Health Hanford Hospital as they celebrated a $1 million donation from Valley Strong Credit Union for their catheterization lab expansion. In the Central Valley, we face some of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the state, but for many families, expert care has been out of reach. In critical care, every second counts, and this expansion is going to go a long way toward improving access to cardiac care in our region. That’s why I was proud to write a letter of support for this project and honored to attend this event in order to see the expansion become one step closer to reality.

During my visit with Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO), I toured two construction sites funded in part through federal dollars I helped secure: the Head Start Clay Center Campus and the future home of a comprehensive community services center. The Clay Center will house four new preschool classrooms and the community services center will include an emergency shelter, central kitchen, navigation hub, and food bank. During my tour, we discussed federal programs vital to families in the Valley including LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), DOE Weatherization Assistance Program, CalFresh Education, and the Community Services Block Grant. I’ll continue working to protect and fund these critical services that improve the lives of people throughout our communities. 

Yesterday, I toured the Kettleman Hills Waste Management Facility alongside Waste Management Director, Bob Henry. He showed me their facility and gave an update on ongoing operations. Kettleman Hills plays a vital role in responsibly managing our region's waste and reducing environmental impacts to ensure our communities remain sanitary and safe.

As I mentioned earlier in this newsletter, specialty crops play a huge role in Central Valley agriculture, which is why it was great to attend the California Fresh Fruit Association's (CFFA) event this week. I spoke about the importance of passing a comprehensive Farm Bill, continuing with the appropriations process, and immigration reform. During the event, I also heard directly from Delano specialty crop producers, discussed some of the challenges they're facing, and spoke about opportunities for development in the agricultural industry. I always appreciate hearing directly from our growers and ensuring our federal priorities support the ag industry.

On Wednesday, I met with leadership from the Kern County Department of Human Services to discuss key programs for families in our communities. Director Lito Morillo gave an update on department operations and explained how his team serves constituents relying on safety net programs. We also had a productive conversation about policies in H.R. 1, and I look forward to continuing discussions in the future.

Yesterday, I joined Avenal Police Chief Cecilio Velasco for a discussion about public safety and to hear a department update. Ensuring the safety of our communities is incredibly important, and I'll keep working with local law enforcement to make sure operations continue smoothly.

Today I attended the annual Tulare Chamber of Commerce event held in partnership with the City of Tulare and Tulare County. This event brings together business leaders, local officials, and community members to review annual reports, hear updates on city and county initiatives, and celebrate Tulare's progress over the past year. We also discussed plans for future projects, economic development opportunities, and ways to continue supporting local small businesses and residents. Thanks for having me!

This week, Team Valadao presented a certificate to Kern County Planning and Natural Resources Department Director, Lorelei Oviatt, in recognition for her 30 years of service. My staff also presented a certificate to the new Wasco Police Chief, Alecio Mora, at his badge pinning ceremony during the city council meeting. Finally, my team celebrated the ribbon cutting of Jun BBQ in Bakersfield.

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 here 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?

Send your first name, town, and question to AskDavid@mail.house.gov and I might answer yours right here in one of my weekly newsletters. Make sure to subscribe to my weekly email updates to see if your question was answered!

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