This week, the Bureau of Reclamation released its initial 2023 water allocations for Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors. Compared to recent years when CVP water users received zero percent of their water allocation, these initial allocation numbers are welcome news. But no one is celebrating just yet. Central Valley users deserve the water they contract and pay for, and we must ensure these allocations are not reduced as the water year progresses.

As a lifelong dairy farmer, I know firsthand the challenges and frustrations that come with water allocations from the Bureau of Reclamation. I will continue to call for CVP allocations to reflect the needs of the agriculture community, the backbone of the Central Valley economy.

You can read my full statement on the 2023 CVP water allocations here. 

Last week, I had the chance to sit down with the Mayor of Bakersfield, Karen Goh, as well as Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg to get an update on their work throughout the city. During our meeting, we discussed many important issues such as homelessness, public safety, and upcoming city projects across the city of Bakersfield.

Meeting with local leaders across the 22^nd congressional district is critical to helping me best represent the Central Valley in Washington, D.C. I want to thank Mayor Goh and City Manager Clegg for their hard work and dedication to our community.

For too long, rural communities across the Central Valley have been overlooked when it comes to technological investments. That’s why last week, I was proud to tour Bitwise Industries in Bakersfield. Bitwise’s mission is to build tech economies in underserved cities by providing student apprenticeships, connecting young people with opportunities in the technology sector, and even providing office space for tech companies that are just beginning. It was great to meet with their team and learn more about their work to strengthen the tech economy here in the Central Valley.

This week is National FFA Week. Farming and agricultural production are the lifeblood of our local economy, and the FFA is critical to the future of the Central Valley. FFA plays an essential role in developing the next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders, ensuring our local agricultural industry can continue to thrive.

As a former FFA member, I understand firsthand just how valuable organizations like FFA are to our community. I know our nation’s food supply is in good hands thanks to FFA’s critical work educating hardworking future ag leaders across the Valley.

Our question this week comes from Donna. She asks:

“What, if anything, is the House doing to pass our debt ceiling?”

Thank you for your question, Donna. As many of you may know, Congress will have to deal with raising the national debt ceiling soon. The debt ceiling is what allows the U.S. government to borrow money, and ensures the stability of the American economy. Historically, the debt ceiling has been raised not to increase spending, but because it allows the U.S. to continue paying the bills that we have already agreed to pay, allowing us to preserve the government's credit across global markets. The Biden administration and Congressional leadership have until early summer to come to an agreement to suspend or raise the country’s borrowing cap past the current level of $31.4 trillion.

Letting our country default on our debt has never happened before, but economists warn that it would have devastating impacts on our economy.

While it is essential to come to an agreement on the debt ceiling, it is also essential to get our fiscal house in order. Congressional spending has skyrocketed across the past twenty years – under both Republican and Democratic majorities and presidencies. Both parties are responsible for our nation’s current fiscal situation, and it will take both parties coming together and negotiating in good faith to restore some fiscal sanity back to Washington. As a member of the House Budget and House Appropriations Committees, I look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans to responsibly address the debt ceiling and reign in excessive government spending.  

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!

If you want to share your opinion with me on issues of importance, you can always contact me on my website.

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