As the sole dairy farmer in Congress and a new member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I was proud to vote in favor of the Farm Bill. This legislation addresses rising production costs, improves crop insurance and disaster assistance, and invests in wildfire prevention and rural infrastructure to protect our natural resources and communities, providing the certainty our farmers, ranchers, and producers are counting on. This bipartisan bill delivers real wins for the Central Valley, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill across the finish line.

Central Valley producers grow the food that feeds our nation, but unfortunately, complicated administrative hurdles make it hard for them to provide food to families in our own communities. That’s why I joined Congresswoman Hillary Scholten to reintroduce the Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act. This bipartisan bill reduces these barriers and equips small farmers and ranchers with the tools needed to accept benefits through programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). By expanding access to fresh, locally-grown food for lower-income families and opening new markets for producers, we can both strengthen our agricultural economy and improve food access across the Valley.

As co-founder and co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I was honored to join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to formally recognize April as Sikh History Month. This effort is an important opportunity to highlight the core principles of the Sikh faith—earning an honest living, remembering God, and sharing with others—while also recognizing the strong tradition of service that defines the Sikh community. This resolution is an important step toward religious tolerance for all, and I’m proud to support it. 

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I was proud to lead the subcommittee markup for the Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill yesterday. This bill ensures that Congress has the resources needed to properly serve its districts effectively while reducing unnecessary spending to save taxpayers money. This package also helps maintain the historic Capitol complex so it remains accessible for students, families, and visitors from across the country and around the world. I’m proud of the bill we’ve put together and look forward to moving this bill forward in the funding process.

The Central Valley knows firsthand how serious air quality challenges can be. Poor air affects our health, school attendance, and directly impacts our farmworkers who work outside all day to ensure our nation is fed. On Tuesday, I met with local air quality leaders from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District—a public health agency responsible for air quality management in California—to discuss how we can make progress. Our focus needs to stay on reducing emissions in a way that makes a real difference for Valley families, and I appreciate their efforts. I look forward to continuing my work with local partners to make sure our communities can breathe cleaner, healthier air. 

This week, Team Valadao attended Kids Day 2026 hosted by the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council of Kings County, where they presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Council for its work supporting children. The team later met with the Oak Valley Union Elementary School District and Tulare Joint Union High School superintendents to discuss student resources and recognition opportunities, and with Tulare Chief Deputy City Clerk Melissa Wilcox to talk about upcoming development projects. Later in the day, staff attended Avantus Inc.’s Kern County Planning Department luncheon on clean energy power purchase agreements.

On Tuesday, the team presented Certificates of Recognition at the Bakersfield East Rotary Club and St. Vincent de Paul Center International Peace Pole unveiling, as well as at the 60th anniversary of California Rural Legal Assistance, honoring both the organization and keynote speaker Carol Ruth Silver. My staff also attended a Central Valley healthcare landscape briefing and, following the tragic loss of Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Hoppert, paid their respects at memorial services in his honor.

Team Valadao also toured Nichols Farms to learn about its conservation practices, attended the 11th annual Kettleman Hills Facility information meeting on emergency preparedness and environmental monitoring, and presented a Congressional Record to Sierra Pacific High School for its CIF State Division II girls’ basketball championship.

On Thursday, the team toured the Refuge House, met with Hanford and Lakeside Union Elementary School District Superintendents, and attended the Kings County Farm Bureau monthly luncheon. They also delivered Certificates of Recognition to Latina Leaders of Kern County for graduates of its Youth Leadership Program, participated in a Nothing Bundt Cakes ribbon cutting, and attended the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce Spring Mixer, recognizing new President Blaine Hodge. Finally, Team Valadao wrapped up the week at the Visalia Around the World Exhibition, celebrating the rich culture of Tulare County.

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!

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