Dear [firstname],
Read below for an update on my work in Washington on behalf of CA-22. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive regular updates on what's happening in D.C. and the Central Valley. Know someone who would want to read this newsletter? Make sure to forward it to a friend! |
This week, we celebrate 249 years since America’s independence. Each Independence Day, it’s important we take time to appreciate the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy and reflect on the values that make us Americans.
In 1969, my parents emigrated from the Azores Islands of Portugal in search of more opportunities for their children here in the United States, and to pursue their American Dream. After settling in the Central Valley, my dad started a small dairy farm in 1973. Throughout my lifetime I’ve seen how their sacrifice and hard work has ultimately paid off. The United States is the only place in the world where a dairy farmer and a son of immigrants can become a Member of Congress, and my parents' journey is a powerful reminder of the opportunities this country provides.
As you gather with friends and family to celebrate, let’s be grateful for the qualities that makes the United States such an exceptional place. I wish you and your loved ones a safe and fun Independence Day.
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It was not an easy decision for me, but I voted yes on the budget reconciliation bill. Since January when the reconciliation process began, I’ve been a vocal advocate for protecting and preserving Medicaid for the most vulnerable in my district. I know how important the program is for my constituents. Many policy changes were suggested over the past six months that would have devastated healthcare in my district, including changes to the federal match rate for California and per capita caps on the expansion population, and after months of meetings, I was able to prevent these provisions from being included. However, the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill ultimately made more changes to Medicaid than the House-passed version, and I had several concerns.
Since they were announced, I made my concerns about the provider tax and state directed payments provisions clear to my colleagues in the House and Senate and the administration. After numerous conversations, an additional $25 billion was added to the newly established Rural Health Transformation Program—which will help to support rural and other at-risk hospitals in my district—bringing the total to $50 billion. I’ve been assured by the administration that it will be structured in a way that benefits our providers and keeps our hospitals and communities running. To be clear, I still have concerns with the implementation of the provider tax and state directed payment provisions of H.R. 1, but I’ve worked and will continue to engage with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify specific risks to Valley hospitals and mitigate them.
Ultimately, I voted for this bill because it does preserve the Medicaid program for its intended recipients—children, pregnant women, the disabled, and elderly. The bill also includes dozens of other policy provisions that directly benefit CA-22, including blocking the largest tax hike on working families in American history, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, expanding the Child Tax Credit, enhancing deductions for seniors, and keeping provisions in place that double the standard deduction for over 90% of taxpayers in my district. These are real wins that will put more money back in the pockets of hardworking families throughout the Valley.
In addition to critical tax provisions, I was able to secure $1 billion in western water storage and conveyance funding to support critical water infrastructure throughout the district. The bill also authorizes key Farm Bill investments by increasing funding for specialty crop research, expanding crop insurance coverage, providing funding to prevent pollution of drinking water in rural communities, and extending funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). After weeks of meetings, I was able to successfully secure improvements to the IRA tax credit language to support the Central Valley's clean energy sector. This version of the bill will provide companies with a long transition period to construct renewable facilities, protecting investment in our region.
No piece of legislation is perfect, but this bill ultimately reflects the priorities of CA-22—lower taxes, stronger farms, better infrastructure, and a commitment to protecting access to healthcare for Valley residents. I came to Congress to be a voice for our community, and I’ll keep fighting every day to make sure every provision is implemented responsibly to serve the needs of our district. While there’s still more work to do, this bill is a meaningful step forward.
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Our national parks, forests, and lands were set aside for the people, and it's our responsibility to make sure future generations can enjoy the same benefits we have today. As a lifelong Californian, I've always believed in protecting access to these resources—not selling them off. That's why I sent a letter alongside four of my House colleagues, urging Speaker Johnson to remove a provision in the House budget reconciliation bill that would have forced the federal government to auction off some of these lands. I was happy to see this language removed from the final bill. Preserving access to the outdoors is a priority for me, and I'll keep working to ensure these spaces remain open and protected for everyone. |
Under Governor Newsom, California’s oil production capabilities have been crippled. While the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to approve new drilling permits, the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGem) has insisted on a second, state-level permitting process, even though federal law doesn’t give them any authority over federal lands. This week, I applauded BLM’s decision to rescind CalGem’s authority, which is a big step toward restoring domestic oil production in the Central Valley. Kern County alone has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in local revenue and thousands of good-paying jobs because Sacramento bureaucrats refused to issue permits in a timely and transparent way. By getting rid of this unnecessary red tape, we can get production back on track, lower energy costs for Valley families, and bring much-needed investment back to our communities.
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This week, Team Valadao presented a certificate to Eagle Mountain Casino & Resort in honor of their Phase 2 groundbreaking, which marks the start of construction on a new hotel and pool facility. My staff also toured the Wonderful Citrus plant, known for producing high-quality citrus, almonds, and other key agricultural products for the Central Valley. Later in the week, members of my team attended the Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting, where community leaders discussed ongoing economic development initiatives and the local fire chief spoke about safety best practices for the Fourth of July. Team Valadao and our district interns also met with Delano's City Manager, Maribel Reyna, and learned about local government and her role in the community. Later, they presented a certificate to Frank's Automotive for their 65th anniversary. Finally, my team visited the International Agri-Center in Tulare to meet with their dedicated staff to discuss their role in promoting and supporting California’s agriculture industry.
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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!
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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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Did you know you can now sign up for texts from my office to stay up to date on my work in Washington D.C.? To sign up to receive updates from me directly to your phone, just text VALADAO to (559) 387-4346 and you will be automatically subscribed. You can also sign up for text alerts using this form here. |
Feds move to retake oil permitting authority from California
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum’s move to rescind the 2012 accord with the California Geologic Energy Management division won him thanks Friday from Reps. Vince Fong and David Valadao, among other California GOP members of the House. They called the agreement outdated and “a significant barrier” to in-state oil production."
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Public Land Sale is off, but California's forests aren't out of the woods
Last week, in response to criticism, Lee pared down a requirement that the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management make between 2.2 million and 3.3 million acres across the West available for sale over the next five years. His next version removed forest service lands from the bill and reduced the BLM’s quota to 1.2 million acres.
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I'll be using this newsletter as a way to keep you updated on my work in Congress. Make sure to sign up for regular updates and follow my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with my work. |
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David G.Valadao Member of Congress |
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