This week, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed the WATER for California Act out of a full committee markup. The WATER for California Act would bring desperately needed commonsense to the way we manage water by streamlining operations, expanding water storage infrastructure, and increasing accountability. If we don’t take action to fix the complex and contradictory laws and regulations that control how much we’re able to pump, and what storage projects we’re able to build or use, our ability to provide food for the nation will be in trouble.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation.

This week, I wrote an op-ed with the Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Cliff Bentz to discuss the urgency of addressing California's water mismanagement. 

Read the full op-ed here. 

My office will be hosting a Service Academy Information Night next Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Hanford West High School. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the U.S. Service Academies and meet with representatives from the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, West Point, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and ROTC programs.

For more information and to RSVP, go to: https://valadao.house.gov/services/academy-night.htm

California’s Giant Sequoias are a national treasure, and the Central Valley is lucky to have these iconic groves right in our own backyard. Sadly, decades of poor forest management have caused unprecedented destruction to these trees, and we’re now at risk of losing these giants for good. With wildfires already wiping out nearly one-fifth of our Giant Sequoias, it is critical that we act to protect these incredible trees for generations to come.

That is why I was proud to join my colleagues to introduce the Save Our Sequoias Act. This bipartisan legislation will enhance coordination between federal, state, and local partners, as well as invest in improving our forest management and conservation processes. I’m proud to work with my friends on both sides of the aisle to ensure the survival of our Giant Sequoias. Watch our conversation on why this bill is so important here. 

Our national debt is going to be an estimated $32.6 trillion – 127% of our GDP – by the end of this fiscal year. Most Americans agree the fiscal path our country is on is not sustainable, and we can’t continue to burden our future generations with trillions of dollars in debt. We need a responsible debt ceiling solution that will strengthen the economy and limit out-of-control government spending. While the Limit, Save, Grow Act is by no means a perfect piece of legislation, this is the first step in the negotiation process, and it is now time for the President and our Senate colleagues to bring their proposals to the table so we can pass an agreement that protects taxpayers and our economy.

This week, FEMA opened two additional Disaster Recovery Centers in the Valley to help assist those who have been impacted by recent storms in California. The Centers are located at:

Farmersville Training Center

907 W. Visalia Road

Farmersville, CA 93223

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Lake Isabella (Kern River Valley) Senior Center

6405 Lake Isabella Blvd

Lake Isabella, CA  93240

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday-Saturday

McFarland Recreation and Park District

Community Gymnasium

100 South Second Street

McFarland, CA 93250

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday-Saturday

The specialists at the Disaster Recovery Center will be able to help you:

• Apply for assistance. You may also Apply for FEMA Assistance online or Apply/Check your status by phone at 1-800-621-3362.
• Learn more about disaster assistance programs.
• Learn the status of your FEMA application.
• Understand any letters you get from FEMA.
• Find housing and rental assistance information.
• Get answers to questions or resolve problems.
• Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.
• Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) programs.

For more information, visit FEMA.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362

If you are a farmer, rancher, or producer who was impacted by the storms and flooding throughout the Valley, you can find a list of agriculture-specific disaster assistance available to you by clicking here.

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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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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